2008 College World Series
Encyclopedia
The 2008 College World Series was held June 14 through June 25, in Omaha, Nebraska
. Eight NCAA
Division I college baseball
teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket
to play at historic Rosenblatt Stadium
. It was the 62nd College World Series
overall, and the 59th to be held in Omaha.
The Series was won by Fresno State
, who became the lowest ranked team ever to win an NCAA Baseball Championship (or any NCAA Championship in any sport ever), and the fifth consecutive baseball team to win the title that was not one of the eight national seeds. They were considered a 'Cinderella' team throughout the tournament.
Fresno State sophomore third baseman Tommy Mendonca
won the Most Outstanding Player Award
. Tommy hit four home runs and had 11 RBIs and also made a number of spectacular plays in the field.
The NCAA cited the need to be more flexible in the super-regional round in case of inclement weather. It also allowed for greater potential ticket revenue, in part because the extra "if-necessary" day would now be ticketed separately if both games are played.http://www.ncaa.com/baseball/article.aspx?id=91408
Game 1 of the best-of-three championship series was scheduled for Monday, June 23, game 2 for Tuesday, June 24 and game 3 if necessary for Wednesday, June 25.
and ESPN2
showed every game of the tournament on television, except on Sunday June 22 due to the postponement of game 10 which forced the networks to utilize ESPN Classic
. They were also streamed online at ESPN360.com. Westwood One had live radio coverage of the championship series.
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. Eight NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Division I college baseball
College baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. Compared to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a less significant contribution to cultivating professional players, as the minor leagues primarily...
teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket
2008 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament
The 2008 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament was held from May 30 through June 25, 2008 and was part of the 2008 NCAA Division I baseball season. The 64 NCAA Division I college baseball teams were selected out of an eligible 286 teams on May 26, 2008...
to play at historic Rosenblatt Stadium
Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium
Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium is a baseball stadium in Omaha, Nebraska, the former home to the annual NCAA Division I College World Series and the minor league Omaha Royals, now known as the Omaha Storm Chasers...
. It was the 62nd College World Series
College World Series
The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,...
overall, and the 59th to be held in Omaha.
The Series was won by Fresno State
2008 Fresno State Bulldogs baseball team
The 2008 Fresno State Bulldogs baseball team represented California State University, Fresno in the NCAA Division I baseball season of 2008. They played their home games at Beiden Field in Fresno, California. The team was coached by Mike Batesole who was in his fifth season at Fresno State...
, who became the lowest ranked team ever to win an NCAA Baseball Championship (or any NCAA Championship in any sport ever), and the fifth consecutive baseball team to win the title that was not one of the eight national seeds. They were considered a 'Cinderella' team throughout the tournament.
Fresno State sophomore third baseman Tommy Mendonca
Tommy Mendonca
Thomas Wilkey Mendonca is a baseball third baseman in the Texas Rangers organization. Mendonca won the 2008 College World Series Most Outstanding Player award while a sophomore at Fresno State University....
won the Most Outstanding Player Award
College World Series Most Outstanding Player
The College World Series Most Outstanding Player is an award for the best individual performance during the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. The recipient of the award is announced at the completion of the College World Series Championship Game...
. Tommy hit four home runs and had 11 RBIs and also made a number of spectacular plays in the field.
Changes for 2008
The first day of the 2008 CWS was moved to Saturday (June 14) from the traditional Friday. Also, if all games were needed in the first double-elimination round, it would take eight days to complete rather than seven.The NCAA cited the need to be more flexible in the super-regional round in case of inclement weather. It also allowed for greater potential ticket revenue, in part because the extra "if-necessary" day would now be ticketed separately if both games are played.http://www.ncaa.com/baseball/article.aspx?id=91408
Game 1 of the best-of-three championship series was scheduled for Monday, June 23, game 2 for Tuesday, June 24 and game 3 if necessary for Wednesday, June 25.
Participants
| School | Conference | Record (Conference) | Head Coach | CWS Appearances | CWS Best Finish | CWS Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford Stanford Cardinal baseball The Stanford Cardinal baseball team represents Stanford University in NCAA Division I college baseball. Along with most other Stanford athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the Pacific-10 Conference. The Cardinal play their home games on campus at the Sunken Diamond, and they are... |
Pac-10 | 39 - 22 - 2 (14 - 10) | Mark Marquess Mark Marquess Mark Marquess is the head coach of the Stanford Cardinal baseball team.In his 34 years at Stanford , he has compiled a record of 1,387–619–7 . His teams have made the postseason 23 times, and have had a record of 109–50 there. In the NCAA Regionals, his teams have a 65–25 record... |
15 (last: 2003 2003 College World Series The 2003 College World Series was held June 13 through June 23, 2003 in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Rosenblatt Stadium. In the first best-of-three championship series since 1948, Rice... ) |
1st (1987 1987 College World Series The 1987 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from May 29 to June 7. The forty-first tournament's champion was Stanford University, coached by Mark Marquess. The Most Outstanding Player was Paul Carey of Stanford University. This CWS was best known for... , 1988 1988 College World Series The 1988 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 3 to June 11. The forty-second tournament's champion was Stanford University coached by Mark Marquess... ) |
38 - 27 |
| North Carolina North Carolina Tar Heels baseball The North Carolina Tar Heels baseball team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in NCAA Division I college baseball. They participate in the Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division.... |
ACC Atlantic Coast Conference The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities... |
51 - 12 (22 - 7) | Mike Fox Mike Fox (baseball coach) -External links:*... |
6 (last: 2007 2007 College World Series The 2007 College World Series was held from June 15–24, in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met at Rosenblatt Stadium after having played their way through a 64-team bracket. This was the 61st College World Series overall, and the 58th to be held in Omaha.Oregon State... ) |
2nd (2006 2006 College World Series The 2006 College World Series was held June 16-26 in Omaha, Nebraska; it was the 60th College World Series and the 57th series held in Omaha. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having advanced through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium... , 2007 2007 College World Series The 2007 College World Series was held from June 15–24, in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met at Rosenblatt Stadium after having played their way through a 64-team bracket. This was the 61st College World Series overall, and the 58th to be held in Omaha.Oregon State... ) |
10 - 13 |
| Florida State Florida State Seminoles baseball The Florida State Seminoles baseball team represents Florida State University in NCAA Division I college baseball and are one of the most successful collegiate baseball programs in the United States without a College World Series championship.... |
ACC Atlantic Coast Conference The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities... |
54 - 12 (24 - 6) | Mike Martin | 18 (last: 2000 2000 College World Series The 2000 College World Series was held June 9 through June 17, 2000 in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Rosenblatt Stadium. LSU beat Stanford in the single-game final.It was the 54th College... ) |
2nd (1970 1970 College World Series The 1970 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 12 to June 18. The twenty-fourth tournament's champion was the University of Southern California, coached by Rod Dedeaux... , 1986 1986 College World Series The 1986 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska, from May 30 to June 9. The fortieth tournament's champion was the University of Arizona, coached by Jerry Kindall... , 1999 1999 College World Series The 1999 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 11 to June 19. The fifty-third tournament's champion was the University of Miami, coached by Jim Morris... ) |
25 - 36 |
| Georgia Georgia Bulldogs baseball The Georgia Bulldogs baseball team represents the University of Georgia in NCAA Division I college baseball.Along with most other Georgia athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the Eastern division of the Southeastern Conference... |
SEC Southeastern Conference The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama... |
41 - 23 - 1 (20 - 9 - 1) | David Perno David Perno David Perno is the head coach of the baseball team at the University of Georgia. Now in his ninth season as their head coach, he has compiled a record of 300-230-1 . He has led the program to five NCAA tournaments, including 3 of the last 8 College World Series. He was named the 2004 Coach of the... |
5 (last: 2006 2006 College World Series The 2006 College World Series was held June 16-26 in Omaha, Nebraska; it was the 60th College World Series and the 57th series held in Omaha. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having advanced through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium... ) |
1st (1990 1990 College World Series The 1990 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 1 to June 9. The forty-fourth tournament's champion was the University of Georgia, coached by Steve Webber... ) |
6 - 9 |
| Miami (FL) Miami Hurricanes baseball The Miami Hurricanes baseball team is the college baseball program that represents the University of Miami.Since 1973, the program has been one of college baseball's elite with 23 College World Series appearances, winning four national championships and advancing to the NCAA regionals a record 39... |
ACC Atlantic Coast Conference The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities... |
52 - 9 (23 - 5) | Jim Morris Jim Morris (baseball coach) Jim Morris is head baseball coach at the University of Miami and previously at Georgia Tech. His teams have qualified for NCAA Regionals for the last 24 years, 15 at Miami and nine at Georgia Tech... |
22 (last: 2006 2006 College World Series The 2006 College World Series was held June 16-26 in Omaha, Nebraska; it was the 60th College World Series and the 57th series held in Omaha. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having advanced through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium... ) |
1st (1982 1982 College World Series The 1982 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska from June 4 to June 12. The thirty-sixth tournament's champion was the University of Miami, coached by Ron Fraser... , 1985 1985 College World Series The 1985 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from May 31 to June 11. The thirty-ninth tournament champion was the University of Miami, coached by Ron Fraser. The Most Outstanding Player was Greg Ellena of the University of Miami.-Participants:-Game results:*... , 1999 1999 College World Series The 1999 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 11 to June 19. The fifty-third tournament's champion was the University of Miami, coached by Jim Morris... , 2001 2001 College World Series The 2001 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 8 to June 16. The fifty-fifth tournament's champion was the University of Miami, coached by Jim Morris... ) |
46 - 36 |
| Rice Rice Owls baseball The Rice Owls baseball team is the interscholastic baseball team representing Rice University in Houston, Texas. The Rice Owls have been a regular fixture in the NCAA Tournament, participating in every tournament since 1995 including a victory in the 2003 College World Series, the first national... |
C-USA Conference USA Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports... |
47 - 13 (21 - 3) | Wayne Graham Wayne Graham Wayne Leon Graham is a former major-league baseball player and the college baseball coach of the Rice Owls baseball team in Houston, Texas.-Playing career:... |
6 (last: 2007 2007 College World Series The 2007 College World Series was held from June 15–24, in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met at Rosenblatt Stadium after having played their way through a 64-team bracket. This was the 61st College World Series overall, and the 58th to be held in Omaha.Oregon State... ) |
1st (2003 2003 College World Series The 2003 College World Series was held June 13 through June 23, 2003 in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Rosenblatt Stadium. In the first best-of-three championship series since 1948, Rice... ) |
10 - 11 |
| Louisiana State LSU Tigers baseball The LSU baseball team represents Louisiana State University in NCAA Division I college baseball.Along with the other LSU athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the West division of the Southeastern Conference... |
SEC Southeastern Conference The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama... |
48 - 17 - 1 (18 - 11 - 1) | Paul Mainieri Paul Mainieri Paul Mainieri is the current head coach of the LSU baseball team. Prior to that position he was the head coach of the Notre Dame baseball team from 1995–2006, the United States Air Force Academy baseball team from 1989–1994 and the St. Thomas University baseball team from 1983–1988... |
13 (last: 2004 2004 College World Series The 2004 College World Series was held June 18 through 28, 2004 in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium.... ) |
1st (1991 1991 College World Series The 1991 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from May 31 to June 8. The forty-fifth tournament's champion was Louisiana State University, coached by Skip Bertman. The Most Outstanding Player was Gary Hymel of Louisiana State University... , 1993 1993 College World Series The 1993 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 4 to June 12. The forty-seventh tournament's champion was Louisiana State University, coached by Skip Bertman. The Most Outstanding Player was Todd Walker of Louisiana State University.Texas and Texas A&M... , 1996 1996 College World Series The 1996 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from May 31 to June 8. The fiftieth tournament's champion was Louisiana State University, coached by Skip Bertman... , 1997 1997 College World Series The 1997 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from May 30 to June 7. The fifty-first tournament's champion was Louisiana State University, coached by Skip Bertman... , 2000 2000 College World Series The 2000 College World Series was held June 9 through June 17, 2000 in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Rosenblatt Stadium. LSU beat Stanford in the single-game final.It was the 54th College... ) |
29 - 17 |
| Fresno State Fresno State Bulldogs baseball The Fresno State Bulldogs baseball team represents Fresno State University in NCAA Division I college baseball.Along with most other Fresno State athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the Western Athletic Conference... |
WAC Western Athletic Conference The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS... |
42 - 29 (21 - 11) | Mike Batesole Mike Batesole Mike Batesole is the head baseball coach at Fresno State. In 5 seasons as head coach, he has compiled a 172-134 record. He previously coached for 7 seasons at Cal State Northridge. His overall record stands at 428-292-1. In 2006 and 2007, his teams won back-to-back WAC championships in baseball... |
3 (last: 1991 1991 College World Series The 1991 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from May 31 to June 8. The forty-fifth tournament's champion was Louisiana State University, coached by Skip Bertman. The Most Outstanding Player was Gary Hymel of Louisiana State University... ) |
3rd (1959 1959 College World Series The NCAA Men's Division I College World Series involved 8 schools playing in double-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college baseball. It began on June 12, and ended with the championship game on June 18... ) |
4 - 6 |
2008 College World Series bracket
The teams in the CWS are divided into two pools of four, with each pool playing a double-elimination format. The winners of the two pools meet in a best-of-three finals.Final CWS standings
| Place | School | CWS Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Fresno State | 5-2 |
| 2nd | Georgia |
4-2 |
| 3rd | North Carolina | 3-2 |
| Stanford | 2-2 | |
| 5th | LSU | 1-2 |
| Miami | 1-2 | |
| 7th | Florida State | 0-2 |
| Rice | 0-2 |
Game 1, 1:00 PM
Game 2, 6:00 PM
Game 3, 1:00 PM
Game 4, 6:00 PM
Game 5, 1:00 PM (elimination)
Game 6, 6:00 PM
Game 7, 1:00 PM (elimination)
Game 8, 6:00 PM
Game 9, 6:00 PM (elimination)
Game 10, 6:00 PM (elimination)
- Game initially scheduled on Thursday, June 19, but was postponed due to a rainout
Game 11, 1:00 PM (Bracket final series)
- Elimination game for Stanford
Game 12, 6:00 PM (Bracket final series)
- Elimination game for North Carolina
Game 13, 6:00 PM
- Elimination game; winner advances to play Georgia in the Best-of-Three Championship Series
Game 14, 6:00 PM
Game 15, 6:35 PM
- An Elimination game for Fresno State
Game 16, 6:00 PM
All Tournament Team
The following players were members of the All-Tournament Team.| Position | Player | School |
|---|---|---|
| Pitcher | Alex White Alex White (baseball) -Early years:White attended D.H. Conley High School in his hometown of Greenville, NC and led the Vikings to two state championships. After his senior year of high school, he signed to play college baseball for the University of North Carolina.-Cleveland Indians:... |
North Carolina |
| Justin Wilson | Fresno St. | |
| Catcher | Jason Castro Jason Castro Jason René Castro is an American acoustic/folk-pop/contemporary Christian singer-songwriter and was the fourth place finalist on the seventh season of American Idol... |
Stanford |
| First Base | Dustin Ackley Dustin Ackley Dustin Michael Ackley is an American professional baseball second baseman with the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball. Ackley was drafted and selected second overall by the Mariners in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft. He is a natural outfielder, though he played first base his junior... |
North Carolina |
| Second Base | Erik Wetzel | Fresno St. |
| Third Base | Tommy Mendonca | Fresno St. |
| Shortstop | Gordon Beckham Gordon Beckham James Gordon Beckham III is a baseball infielder, who plays for the Chicago White Sox.-Personal life:... |
Georgia |
| Outfield | Tim Fedroff | North Carolina |
| Steve Susdorf | Fresno St. | |
| Steve Detwiler | Fresno St. | |
| Designated Hitter | Ryan Peisel | Georgia |
Notable players
Chicago White Sox third baseman Gordan Beckham who played the following year in the majorsCWS records tied or broken
- Most runs scored in an inning: 11 (tied)(StanfordStanford Cardinal baseballThe Stanford Cardinal baseball team represents Stanford University in NCAA Division I college baseball. Along with most other Stanford athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the Pacific-10 Conference. The Cardinal play their home games on campus at the Sunken Diamond, and they are...
, 9th inning, Game 1 against Florida StateFlorida State Seminoles baseballThe Florida State Seminoles baseball team represents Florida State University in NCAA Division I college baseball and are one of the most successful collegiate baseball programs in the United States without a College World Series championship....
) - Most runners left on base in a nine-inning game: 17 (tied) (Florida StateFlorida State Seminoles baseballThe Florida State Seminoles baseball team represents Florida State University in NCAA Division I college baseball and are one of the most successful collegiate baseball programs in the United States without a College World Series championship....
, Game 5 against MiamiMiami Hurricanes baseballThe Miami Hurricanes baseball team is the college baseball program that represents the University of Miami.Since 1973, the program has been one of college baseball's elite with 23 College World Series appearances, winning four national championships and advancing to the NCAA regionals a record 39...
) - Most doubles hit by a player: 3 (tied) by Rich Poythress GeorgiaGeorgia Bulldogs baseballThe Georgia Bulldogs baseball team represents the University of Georgia in NCAA Division I college baseball.Along with most other Georgia athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the Eastern division of the Southeastern Conference...
against StanfordStanford Cardinal baseballThe Stanford Cardinal baseball team represents Stanford University in NCAA Division I college baseball. Along with most other Stanford athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the Pacific-10 Conference. The Cardinal play their home games on campus at the Sunken Diamond, and they are...
, Game 11. - Most losses by a team who won the College World Series: 31 (Fresno State)
- Lowest seed to win the College World Series: #4 regional seed, #89 RPIRatings Percentage IndexThe Rating Percentage Index, commonly known as the RPI, is a quantity used to rank sports teams based upon a team's wins and losses and its strength of schedule. It is one of the systems by which NCAA basketball and baseball teams are ranked...
(Fresno State)
Television and radio
ESPNESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
and ESPN2
ESPN2
ESPN2 is an American sports cable television network owned by ESPN. The channel debuted on October 1, 1993.Originally nicknamed "the deuce," ESPN2 was initially branded as a network for a younger generation of sports fans featuring edgier graphics as well as extreme sports like motocross,...
showed every game of the tournament on television, except on Sunday June 22 due to the postponement of game 10 which forced the networks to utilize ESPN Classic
ESPN Classic
ESPN Classic is a sports channel that features reruns of famous sporting events, sports documentaries, and sports themed movies. Such programs includes biographies of famous sports figures or a rerun of a famous World Series or Super Bowl, often with added commentary on the event...
. They were also streamed online at ESPN360.com. Westwood One had live radio coverage of the championship series.
See also
- 2008 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament2008 NCAA Division I Baseball TournamentThe 2008 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament was held from May 30 through June 25, 2008 and was part of the 2008 NCAA Division I baseball season. The 64 NCAA Division I college baseball teams were selected out of an eligible 286 teams on May 26, 2008...
- NCAA Division I Baseball ChampionshipNCAA Division I Baseball ChampionshipThe NCAA Division I Baseball Championship tournament is held each year from May through June and features 64 college baseball teams in the United States, culminating in the College World Series....
- 2008 LSU Tigers baseball team2008 LSU Tigers baseball teamThe 2008 LSU Tigers baseball team represented Louisiana State University in the NCAA Division I baseball season of 2008. This was the final year for the team in the original Alex Box Stadium. A new stadium was built during the season and opened on opening day of the 2009 season.The team was...
- 2008 Fresno State Bulldogs baseball team2008 Fresno State Bulldogs baseball teamThe 2008 Fresno State Bulldogs baseball team represented California State University, Fresno in the NCAA Division I baseball season of 2008. They played their home games at Beiden Field in Fresno, California. The team was coached by Mike Batesole who was in his fifth season at Fresno State...