OMAHA–If there’s one thing we’ve learned in the 2008 College World Series, it’s that no lead is safe. Georgia taught us that lesson against Miami. Louisiana State reiterated it against Rice. North Carolina emphasized it against LSU and Fresno State. Georgia hammered it home against Fresno last night.

So really, no one should be surprised that Fresno has already erased an early 5-0 deficit tonight. The "WonderDogs", as they’re known by many of their fans, erupted for six runs in the bottom of the third to take a one-run lead over Georgia.

The big blow was Tommy Mendonca’s three-run homer to right against reliever Stephen Dodson, turning a 5-3 hole into a 6-5 lead for Fresno. If Fresno State wins the national title, Mendonca’s got to be the Most Outstanding Player; between his incredible glove work and his clutch home runs, he’s been pretty darn outstanding. Mendonca now has four home runs in Omaha, tying a CWS record held by eight other players. Most recently, Louisville’s Logan Johnson did it last year. The thing that jumps out to me about Mendonca’s power is how easy it is. He’s not taking enormous hacks, just using his leverage and strong wrists to hit long home runs to all fields. This was his second home run to right field, but he also has two homers to left-center. Mendonca, who now has 19 homers on the year, has legit big league third baseman tools.

Like I said–no lead is safe. Georgia has already erased Fresno’s narrow lead, scoring a run on Matt Olson’s leadoff double and Gordon Beckham’s RBI single in the fourth. We’re all tied up at 6-6; what a fun championship series to watch.

NCAA Blog Central.