Former Turlock High and Fresno State standout Tommy Mendonca will make another semi-homecoming to John Thurman Field in Modesto, home of the Modesto Nuts. But these visits appear to be a little more special than the others.

The Bakersfield Blaze third baseman will make the trip during the Fourth of July weekend, a unique opportunity to play in front of family and friends.

Mendonca will appear in Modesto on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, all at 7:05 p.m., in front of a crowd that will likely be rooting for the Turlock native.

Entering Tuesday night, he was batting .231 with two home runs, 24 RBIs and 54 hits.

He is best remembered for his play with the Fresno State baseball team in 2008, leading the Bulldogs to an improbable College World Series title win. It ended with Mendonca earning the CWS's Most Outstanding Player award.

And recently, Sports Illustrated recognized the Bulldogs' run as the best CWS moment ever, in honor of the final season at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Neb.