Tommy Mendonca is swinging a big stick at the World University Baseball Championship '08

Tommy Mendonca overcame significant problems with his Collegiate Baseball team, the Fresno State Bulldogs, on their campaign towards a National Championship. A near-plane crash on the way to Omaha, Nebraska and extremely high odds stacked against them were only some of the things they struggled to get through. All energy would’ve gone to waste weren’t it for tremendous performances from Pitcher Justin Wilson and Right Fielder Steve Detwiler (2 HR) in the deciding game against Georgia. When asked how much of an inspiration these players were to him Tommy Mendonca (Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series 2008) noted: “What the guys did for us was tremendous. Justin gave us 7 very strong innings and Steve was playing with a torn ligament in his thumb, for them to do what they did was really amazing. “

This summer Mendonca is overcoming some problems of his own and by his own “it takes about one week to adjust to wooden bats. Both kinds of bats have their advantages, if you hit it hard with a wooden bat, it’s going to go a long ways, but if you don’t you can get in trouble, this is where an aluminum bat helps. Unfortunately it hasn’t worked out for me yet. “. This time around he doesn’t have his teammates from Fresno State to help him out, luckily he’s playing with the very best College Baseball has to offer as a member of Team USA at the World University Baseball Championships. “Everyone has a role on the team, and sometimes that is not to be the starter. We just have to accept the decisions our coaches make and try to do our part the best we can.”, said Mendonca.

The soul grows by using things, and an excellent way to experience new things is to travel. Team USA has been in Europe for nearly a month now and has enjoyed a tremendous 16 game winning streak on European soil.

“This experience will definitely help me with my play. I picked up new things from our coaches here“, said Mendonca who’s planning on playing Pro-Baseball, wherever and whenever that may be.

Meanwhile he and his USA teammates are concentrating on making sure the United States will be recognized as the best College Country in the World. When asked about his favorite moment during the trip he stated: “Hopefully tomorrow.” When Team USA will be squaring off with Japan in the Title game of the World University Baseball Championships.

Coach Meyers (second from bottom on the right) keeps a close eye on his pitchers

They already captured one Title: two weeks ago this team beat international Powerhouse Cuba at the Harleem Baseball Week. “Beating Cuba in the Honkbal Tournament was definitely a highlight up to this point”, said Pitching Coach Jerry Meyers.

He too has his mind fixed on the Championship game: “We’ve been working for a long time, a good part of almost seven weeks to build up to this opportunity tomorrow.” If the US pitchers can keep up their superb work they should have a very good chance at ceasing the opportunity and returning home with a number of

A team-effort has put Team USA at 23-0

novel experiences from the old continent. And with any luck one of the players may become the most outstanding player in coach Meyers mind. Like any good coach he believes in his team: “We’ve had guys step up offensively, defensively and on the mound all summer long”

But who has been his favorite? Coach took a pause to consider the question but once again kept his mind on what lies ahead: “It might be the guy who helps us win the most tomorrow.”