March 17, 2008
Game Notes and Stats in PDF Format 
Games 18-20
Utah Valley at Gonzaga
Patterson Baseball Complex and
Washington Trust Field (3,000)
Spokane, Wash.
Monday, Mar. 17, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Mar. 19, 6 p.m.
Live Stats: www.gozags.com
Series Record:
GU leads 7-2
UP TO BAT: Gonzaga University will host Utah Valley University this week in a three-game series starting Monday. In the series opener, AJ Proszek will take the mound for the Bulldogs as the Zags and Wolverines kick off the series at 6 p.m. Tuesday, freshman Reedy Berg is expected to earn the start while Gonzaga's starter for Wednesday is yet to be announced. Both Tuesday's and Wednesday's games are slated for a 6 p.m. first pitch.
ON DECK: The Zags will hit the road, once again, next week as the Bulldogs visit Sacramento State University for a three-game set on Mar. 21-23, before playing UC Davis in a single game on Monday, Mar. 24. Against the Hornets, Gonzaga University will play at 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday before capping the series with a 1 p.m. game on Sunday. Monday's game against the Aggies is slated for 1 p.m.
LAST OUTING: This past week, Gonzaga University captured the title at the 2008 Pepsi/Johnny Quick Classic in Fresno, Calif. The Bulldogs finished the six-game event with a 4-2 record. Gonzaga opened the tournament with a 7-4 victory over Indiana University, before downing the University of Utah 10-5 on Tuesday. The Zags hit a rough spot on Wednesday, dropping a non-conference contest to the University of Portland 12-7 before falling to host Fresno State University 10-1 Thursday. Friday, the Bulldogs got back on the winning track, defeating New Mexico State University 17-10, providing them with the right to play for the tournament championship. During the title game on Saturday, GU rallied in the sixth to score seven runs and defeat Utah 10-7. Grant Kveder led the Zags on the weekend, batting at a .500 clip as he was named the Most Valuable Player of the Classic.
TICKETS TO PATTERSON BASEBALL COMPLEX AND WASHINGTON TRUST FIELD: The gates to Patterson Baseball Complex and Washington Trust Field will open one hour prior to the scheduled game time. Tickets are available before the game at the two ticket booths at the new facility. The ticket booths are located at the northeast and southwest corners of the ballpark. Admission is five dollars for adults and three dollars for seniors and kids 12 and under.
KVEDER NAMED WCC PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Grant Kveder, a junior for Gonzaga University, has been named the West Coast Conference Player of the Week. Kveder enjoyed a solid showing at the 2008 Pepsi/Johnny Quick Tournament batting at a .500 clip with five runs batted in and five runs scored. The honor is the first of his career, as Kveder transfered to Gonzaga this season from the College of Southern Idaho The selection marks the first time this season a Bulldog player or pitcher has been awarded a weekly honor from the league's front office.
SCOUTING THE WOLVERINES: Utah Valley University, formerly known as Utah Valley State, travels to Spokane with a 3-10-1 overall record this season, including a 2-8-1 record when playing on the road. The Wolverines are fresh off of a 5-4 loss to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Utah Valley's last five losses have all been by one run, including two games in which the Wolverines carried three-run leads into the ninth inning. Jace Brinkerhoff leads Utah Valley with a .383 average with a home run and 16 runs batted in. Ryan Jones has also posted a strong offensive effort, batting at a .367 clip. Leading the Wolverines' pitching staff is Marcus Moore, who leads all starters with a 3.60 earned run average. In his last outing, Moore suffered the loss at BYU, as he threw a complete game. All-time against Gonzaga University, the Bulldogs hold a decisive 7-2 lead with both losses coming last season at home.
LIVE ON THE INTERNET: All Gonzaga University home games will be available via Gametracker on the internet at http://www.gozags.com. Check the Gonzaga web site for all Gametracker and live stats links.
LAST SEASON VERSUS THE WOLVERINES: Last season, Gonzaga University dropped a three-game home series to Utah Valley State University, now Utah Valley. In only the second home series at Patterson Baseball Complex and Washington Trust Field, the Bulldogs dropped the first game 5-3 before splitting a doubleheader. The Zags dropped the first game of the twinbill 9-8 before winning the second one 5-0. The Wolverines and Bulldogs also met as part of the Banana Belt Tournament, with GU prevailing 6-5.
KVEDER NAMED TOURNAMENT MVP: Junior Grant Kveder of the Gonzaga University baseball team has been named the Most Valuable Player of the 2008 Pepsi/Johnny Quick Tournament. Kveder, who is listed as an outfielder but serves as the Zags' catcher, was named the MVP after posting an impressive .500 batting average during the six-game event. The Alberta native went 10-for-20 with five runs batted in, five runs scored and two stolen bases. Nine of Kveder's 10 hits came as singles and the junior recorded only one extra-base hit - a double. Kveder's strongest performance at the tournament was a 5-for-5 outing against New Mexico State University. In the 17-10 Bulldog win, Kveder also drove in three runs while scoring three.
BULLDOGS CAPTURE TOURNAMENT TITLE: For the first time in the program's history, the Gonzaga University baseball team captured the Pepsi/Johnny Quick Classic Championship Saturday. The Bulldogs posted a 4-2 record in the classic to earn the title. In the tournament opener, Marcus McKimmy paced the offense with three hits as the Zags downed Indiana University 7-4. Tuesday, Ryan Wiegand hit his fourth home run in as many games to lift the Bulldogs over the University of Utah 10-5. Gonzaga then hit a rough spot, dropping the next two tournament contests as GU fell 12-7 to the University of Portland in a non-conference game before losing 10-1 to Fresno State University Thursday. Friday, Gonzaga captured a chance to play for the classic title with a 17-10 victory over New Mexico State University. The win put GU in a tie with IU, record-wise, but due to the fact that the Bulldogs won the head-to-head match-up, GU was placed in the championship contest. In the championship game on Saturday, the Zags scored seven runs in the sixth inning to rally and defeat Utah 17-10.
BERG ENJOYS FIRST START: Freshman Reedy Berg earned his first collegiate win in his first collegiate start last Tuesday against the University of Utah. Berg, who had made three appearances from the bullpen earlier in the season, earned the victory after holding the Utes to five runs, four earned, over five innings. The freshman also posted three strike outs.
STREAK SNAPPED: On March 13, Evan Wells saw a season high 10-game hit-streak broken by Fresno State University. The junior's streak started on Feb. 28 against Brigham Young University. During the streak, Wells hit at a .390 clip including two three-hit performances. Despite breaking the hit-streak, Wells has safely reached base in all but one game this season, including a 15-game span that he will look to continue against Utah Valley University this week.
HIT ME: The Gonzaga University bats pounded out 21 hits Friday against New Mexico State University as the Zags posted a 17-10 victory. The 21 hits marks the most hits for the Bulldogs in a single game since 2004 when Gonzaga recorded 22 hits against Utah Valley State University.
WIEGAND LEADS ZAGS TO SERIES SWEEP: Ryan Wiegand, a junior for Gonzaga University, proved why he is considered one of the top hitters in the West Coast Conference this past week as he hit .467 in the three-game series against the University of the Pacific and posted a .308 average in the Pepsi/Johnny Quick Tournament. Against the Tigers, Wiegand led the Bulldogs to their first series sweep of the season going 7-for-15 with six extra-base hits. The native of San Diego recorded three doubles, a triple and two home runs as he drove in 10 runs while scoring four during the series as he amassed 18 total bases with a .500 on-base percentage and a 1.200 slugging percentage. In last Wednesday's loss to the University of Portland, the junior snapped a four-game home run streak as he went 8-for-26 with 10 RBI in the tournament to lead GU to the Championship and a 4-2 record.
FRESHMAN POSTS STRONG SHOWINGS ON THE MOUND: Cody Martin is enjoying a strong rookie campaign as the freshman is maintaining a 1-0 record with a 0.77 earned run average in eight relief appearances. Martin, who hails from Dos Palos, Calif., also leads Gonzaga University with two saves. To date, Martin has thrown 11.2 innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on eight hits with 10 strikeouts. He is also holding batters to a .195 batting average - the lowest of any Bulldog hurler.
SWEET SIX: Three members of the Gonzaga University baseball team have recorded a team-leading six runs batted in during a single game this season. Evan Wells, Ryan Wiegand and Bryan Winston have each reach the plateau. Most recently, Wells drove in six runs during the Bulldogs' 17-10 victory over New Mexico State on Friday. In the contest, Wells went 4-for-4 with two doubles, a sacrifice fly and a hit-by-pitch to plate the six base runners. Winston posted his six RBI performance during Gonzaga's home opener Feb. 28 vs. Brigham Young University. Winston led the Zags to a 19-12 victory going 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles and a homerun. Wiegand plated six last Sunday at the University of the Pacific as the infiedler went 4-for-6 in the contest with three doubles and a home run.
HOME SWEET HOME: The Gonzaga University baseball team continues to prove that there's no place like home. Earlier this season in a four-game series against Brigham Young University at Patterson Baseball Complex and Washington Trust Field, the Zags earned the series victory, taking three-of-four from the Cougars. Since the opening of the Zags' new facility last March, Gonzaga has posted a 16-4 record when playing at home. The Bulldogs have only dropped a series at the new facility as GU dropped two games to Utah Valley State University in a three-game series.
OUCH!: The Gonzaga University baseball team has been hit-by-a-pitch 38 times this season, including a season-high six times by Brigham Young University on Feb. 29. In comparison, Bulldog pitchers have only plunked 10 batters to date. Seniors Marcus McKimmy and Bryan Winston lead GU as they have been hit-by-a-pitch seven times.
BULLDOG BASEBALL ON TELEVISION: Six Gonzaga University West Coast Conference baseball games will be aired on GUTV this season. Games on Mar. 28 - 29 against Pepperdine University, Apr. 11-12 against Santa Clara University and Apr. 18-19 versus the University of Portland will all be aired lived on the campus station.
LIVE ON THE RADIO: Gonzaga University baseball will have 18 games aired live on the radio in the greater Spokane area this season. The Pepperdine University, Santa Clara University, University of Washington, University of Portland, Oregon State University, University of San Francisco series and two games against Washington State University will be aired live on 790 KJRB. The broadcasts will begin 15 minutes prior to the scheduled first pitch. Calling games for the Bulldogs will be Tom Hudson.
NEWCOMERS SEE TIME IN THE STARTING LINE-UP: The Gonzaga University starting line-up has been loaded with newcomers to the Zags' program this season, as five different newcomers have earned starts in at least half of Gonzaga's games. Transfers Marcus McKimmy and Jason Chatwood, have each earned starts in all 17 contests, while Grant Kveder, a junior transfer, has started 14 contests. Freshman Brett Nicholas has started 13 games and sophomore transfer Drew Heid has started 10 games. Anthony Synegal, a transfer from San Jose City, has started four games behind the plate and one as the designated hitter for the Zags.
CHATWOOD GOES YARD IN BACK-TO-BACK CHANCES: Jason Chatwood, a junior for Gonzaga University, made a big first impression during the Bulldogs opening home game on Feb. 28 against Brigham Young University. During the first inning, Chatwood stepped to the plate and nailed a home run over the left center field wall. Chatwood returned to the plate in the second inning and completed the feat again. This time, the native of Red Deer, Alberta hit a two-run shot to left field to become the first Zag since 2002 to hit home runs in back-to-back at-bats. Nate Gold was the last Bulldog to accomplish the feat as he did so in 2002.
HARMON MOVES UP IN RECORD BOOK: Senior pitcher Brandon Harmon has moved into tie of second place in the Gonzaga University record book for career appearances. Harmon, who has started five games this season and made one relief appearance, was tied for fourth with Craig Miller (1979-82) with 67 appearances to start the season. The senior currently stand at 71 appearances, tying Tyrone Cunningham (1986-89) for second place. Harmon is on pace to break the all-time appearance record of 81 appearances, held by Matt Siwek (1996-00).
MARCH MADNESS: The month of March is scheduled to be a long one for the Gonzaga University baseball team. The Zags are slated to play 22 games in the month, allowing for only eight days without any competitions. The Bulldogs just completed the busiest part of the month - a nine-game road trip to the University of the Pacific and the Pepsi/Johnny Quick Classic in Fresno, Calif. The Bulldogs will wrap up the month opening West Coast Conference play with a three-game home series against No. 29 Pepperdine University. So far in the month of March, GU has posted a 7-3 record.
PROTECTING POWELL: When senior Cory Powell takes the mound, you may notice something out of the ordinary. Powell, who redshirted the 2007 season, wears a helmet with a protective face mask when he pitches. During his junior season of high school at Borah High in Boise, Idaho, Powell took a ball off the face that changed his appearance on the mound forever. For the remainder of his baseball life he must pitch, play the infield or bat with the face mask, and subsequently the special helmet, in place. Earlier this season, Powell utilized a face mask that fit under a baseball hat, similar to one a basketball player would wear during a game. The mask interrupted his view, so Powell opted to return to wearing the special helmet on the mound.
DOUBLE TAKE: When you look down into the Gonzaga University bullpen this season, don't take a double take, there are two Zag's who look alike - twins Kyle and Jake Adkins. The Adkins brothers join the Bulldogs from Walnut Creek, Calif., where they both played at Los Lomas High. As a junior, Jake earned first-team All-Valley conference with a 0.86 earned run average in 20 innings with 25 strikeouts before falling victim to an injury as a senior. Kyle was a two-time All-Valley Conference selection as he earned three varsity letters in baseball.
IMPROVEMENTS TO PATTERSON BASEBALL COMPLEX AND WASHINGTON TRUST FIELD: Patterson Baseball Complex and Washington Trust Field boasts a new and improved look down the right field line this season. During the off-season, construction was completed on a new maintenance facility in the right field corner near the batting cages. The "maintenance mansion" houses the Gonzaga University athletic department's grounds keeping efforts. Last season, a temporary shed was utilized until construction could commence on the new building.
COMING THROUGH IN THE CLUTCH: Evan Wells, the everyday lead-off batter for Gonzaga University, has proven that he can come through in the clutch this season. Wells is batting .579 with runners in scoring positions, including going 7-for-7 with runners on third and less than two outs. The junior has recorded seven runs batted in when there is two outs. Jason Chatwood and Ryan Wiegand lead the Zags though, having posted 10 two-out RBIs a piece.
WEST COAST CONFERENCE REACHES ALL-TIME HIGH RPI: The West Coast Conference is ranked at an all-time high of No. 4 in the conference RPI rankings, according to www.boydsworld.com. The WCC trails only the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Pacific-10 Conference and the Big XII in the rankings and is listed above highly regarded baseball conferences, the Southeastern Conference and the Big West Conference. The WCC and ACC are also the only conferences in the country to have all their member institutions ranked in the top 110 of the RPI. Gonzaga University is currently ranked 115.
WEST COAST CONFERENCE TEAMS FACE TOUGH COMPETITION: The West Coast Conference teams typically play a very demanding non-conference schedule and this season is no different as the WCC is ranked No. 1 in the strength of schedule rankings, according to www.boydsworld.com. Against the toughest competition in the nation, league teams have combing to post a 74-50 record. The WCC is followed in strength of schedule by fellow western conferences, the Big West, Western Athletic Conference and the Pacific-10. Gonzaga University's strength of schedule ranking is currently 35 as the Zags are scheduled to play, or have played, two teams that are ranked in the top-30.
ZAGS PICKED TO FINISH FIFTH: The Gonzaga University baseball team has been selected to finish fifth in the 2008 West Coast Conference preseason poll, as voted on by the conference's head coaches. Reigning WCC Champion, University of San Diego, received seven first place votes and a total of 49 points to edge out the Pepperdine University, 42 points, and Santa Clara University for first place. The Broncos also received one first place vote and 32 total points. Loyola Marymount University checked in at fourth with 29 points, just edging out the Zags, who received 28 points. The University of San Francisco was tabbed for a sixth place finish with 24 points, while University of Portland and the Saint Mary's College were picked to finish seventh and eighth with 12 and eight points, respectively.
ZAGS RAKE IN LEAGUE HONORS: Former Gonzaga University standout Clayton Mortensen headlined eight All-West Coast Conference accolades during the 2007 season. Mortensen was named the conference's Pitcher of the Year as well as an unanimous All-WCC selection. Joining Mortensen as unanimous all-conference selections were current Zags' Shawn Wayt and Ryan Wiegand. Former Bulldog Darin Holcomb was named All-WCC, while current sophomore Jeremy Stumetz was named to the All-Freshman team. Former Bulldogs Aaron McGuinness, Mike Terry and current GU hurler Brandon Harmon were awarded honorable mention accolades.
BULLDOGS POST HIGHEST FINISH IN WCC PLAY: By posting victories over then-No. 17 Pepperdine University on May 11 and 12, 2007, the Gonzaga University baseball team locked up its highest finish in WCC history, securing second place. Gonzaga had never finished higher than fifth when the conference played a non-divisional format. The Bulldogs finished fifth in 1996 and finished the 2006 campaign tied for fifth. The WCC played a non-divisional format Gonzaga's first three years in the conference (1996-98) and then went to the divisional format from 1999-05 before returning to non-divisional play last season.
BULLDOGS EXCEL IN CLASSROOM: Two members, including one current member, of the Gonzaga University baseball team were awarded All-West Coast Conference academic accolades last season. Former Bulldog Aaron McGuinness and current second baseman Evan Wells each earned the distinction. McGuinness earned a 3.48 grade point average in exercise science while Wells posted a 3.95 GPA in journalism, which also placed him on the University's president's list.
PATTTERSON BASEBALL COMPLEX AND WASHINGTON TRUST FIELD: The 2008 season marks the second year of play at Patterson Baseball Complex and Washington Trust Field. The new home of Bulldog baseball is a state-of-the-art facility that also incorporates an old-time baseball feel. The new stadium includes 1,300 theater-style seats and includes classic brick detailing. Major League amenities include a state-of-the-art infield, a professional candle lighting system and authentic home and visitor dugouts with underground passages to full-service clubhouses. The first game at the new facility was March 15, 2007 against Rider University. The facility also features eight light poles, two which are 90 feet tall while the other six stand at 80 feet. Dedication ceremonies were held April 20, 2007 prior to the game against Saint Mary's College.
HEAD COACH Mark Machtolf: Mark Machtolf is in his fifth season as the head coach of the Gonzaga University baseball and 17th season as a member of the Bulldogs' coaching staff. Since being named head coach, Machtolf has posted a 122-109 record for a .532 winning percentage, placing him third all-time in Gonzaga history. During his tenure with the Zags', he has led the Zags to four-top five finishes and produced the 2004 WCC Player of the Year, Kiel Thibault, and the 2007 WCC Pitcher of the Year, Clayton Mortensen. He has overseen 33 Zags who have signed professional contracts, including 22 that were drafted into the Major Leagues. Under his guidance, Gonzaga has also landed 69 all-conference selections in addition to 15 All-WCC Academic honors. During the summer of 2006, Machtolf served as an assistant coach for Team USA. Under his guidance, the team posted a 28-2-1 record, including going a perfect at 8-0 record the Federation Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU) World Championships in Havanna, Cuba. A 1987 graduate of Stanford University, Machtolf was a member of the Cardinal's 1987 College World Series championship team and was an All-CWS selection.
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