April 22, 2008

Box Score

Pullman, Wash. - Gonzaga University dropped a 9-8 decision to Washington State University Tuesday as the Cougars scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to earn the victory in Pullman. Jason Chatwood led GU on the evening, going 4-for-5 with a double.

GU (23-17) reliever Brandon Harmon suffered the loss, after allowing the Cougs (20-19) to score three runs in the bottom of the ninth. Harmon's appearance was the 81st of his career, tying him for the Bulldog record for all-time appearances. The native of Spokane is now tied with Matt Siwek (1996-2000) for the record. Jeremy Stumetz started the game for GU, allowing four runs on seven hits over the opening 6.0 innings. WSU (19-19) utilized seven pitchers in the contest as Ross Humes (3-3) earned the victory by being the pitcher of record.

Gonzaga opened scoring in the top of the first, taking an early 1-0 lead. Evan Wells led of the game with a single through the left side, before eventually coming around to score on a single through the right side by Ryan Wiegand.

Washington State answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame as the Cougars sent eight batters to the plate. Jared Prince drove in the first two runs on a triple to the right field corner before coming around to score on a double to right by Greg Lagreid.

Drew Heid added two additional runs for the Zags in the second frame, thanks to a two-run home run that hit off the left field foul pole. Grant Kveder, who reached on a single to center, scored on the long ball.

The Bulldogs posted three runs in the top of the third to extend their lead to 6-3. Following back-to-back by Jason Chatwood and Marcus McKimmy to open the inning, Wiegand ground out to plate Chatwood for the first inning tally. One batter later, Mark Castellitto single to left, driving in McKimmy. Castellitto scored on the next play as Grant Kveder hit into a three-base WSU fielding error.

The Cougars posted a run in the bottom of the frame, narrowing GU's lead to two runs, thanks to a solo home run to left by Alex Burg.

The score remained unchanged the bottom of the seventh, when WSU scored two runs to knot the score 6-6. Lagreid and Burg each posted run-scoring singles to even the score.

The Zags answered in the top of the eighth, regaining the lead with two runs. Kveder led off the frame with a single up the middle before advancing to second as Heid was hit by a pitch. Kveder then scored on a single to center by Wells before Heid scored on a wild pitch.

Washington State posted three runs in the bottom of the ninth to capture the victory, as Shane Vucinich posted a two-out double to left center before scoring on a single to right by Travis Coulter.

Gonzaga will return to the confines of Patterson Baseball Complex and Washington Trust Field Wednesday as it hosts Lewis-Clark State College at 6 p.m.