March 20, 2008

Game Notes and Stats in PDF Format

Games 21-23

Gonzaga at Sacramento State

Hornet Field (1,267)

Sacramento, Calif.

Friday, Mar. 21, 2 p.m.

Saturday, Mar. 22 (DH) 11:30 a.m.

Series Record:

First Meeting

 

Game 24

Gonzaga at UC Davis

James M. and Ann Dobbins

Basball Stadium (3,500)

Davis, Calif.

Monday, Mar. 24, 1 p.m.

Live Stats: www.gozags.com

Series Record:

First Meeting

 

UP TO BAT: This week the Gonzaga University will hit the road, once again, as the Bulldogs visit Sacramento State University for a three-game set that is scheduled to start Friday, before playing UC Davis in a single game on Monday. Against the Hornets, the Bulldogs were scheduled to play over three days but a schedule change has made the three-game series a two-day event. Friday, the Bulldogs and Hornets will play at 2 p.m. before a doubleheader Saturday that starts at 11:30 a.m. Monday's game against the Aggies is slated for 1 p.m.

ON DECK: Gonzaga University will return to Eastern Washington as the Bulldogs travel Tuesday to Pullman, Wash. to face the No. 25 Washington State Cougars in the first game for a four-game series that is spread out over the remainder of the season. Later in the week, on Mar. 28-30, Gonzaga will open West Coast Conference play by hosting No. 29 Pepperdine University at Patterson Baseball Complex and Washington Trust Field.

LAST OUTING: The Gonzaga University Bulldogs earned a 2-1 series victory over visiting Utah Valley University at Patterson Baseball Complex and Washington Trust Field. The Zags earned a 9-3 victory in the series opener Monday as Tyson Van Winkle went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two runs batted in. Tuesday, Gonzaga fell behind and was never able to overcome an early deficit as Utah Valley downed GU 5-3. The series ended Wednesday as, through rain and snow, Gonzaga pitchers combined to strikeout a season-high 11 batters to lead the Bulldogs to a 7-2 win.

SCHEDULE CHANGE: The Gonzaga University baseball games scheduled against Sacramento State University for Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Sacramento, Calif. have changed. The three-game series will now be played as a single game Friday and a doubleheader on Saturday. The Bulldogs and Hornets will open the series Friday at 2 p.m. ending the series will the twin bill Saturday at 11:30 a.m. There will no longer be a game played on Sunday.

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, five runs scored and two stolen bases. The honor is the first of his career, as Kveder transferred 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 HORNETS: Sacramento State University enters the weekend looking to improve on a 5-11 record, including a 3-5 mark when playing in the friendly confines of Hornet Field. The Hornets are looking to extend a win-streak this week, as Sacramento State posted a big 12-6 upset over No. 12 California on Tuesday. David Flores led the Hornets in the contest, going 4-for-4 with four runs batted in. For the season, Flores is batting at a .393 clip with a team-leading 24 hits and 17 runs scored. On the mound, Jose Ramirez leads the brigade with a 2-1 record and a 4.15 earned run average and 17 strikeouts. Recently, Ramirez was named the Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week following 6.0 innings of shutout ball against Brigham Young University. This weekend's series against Gonzaga University will mark the first time the Hornets and Bulldogs have met on the baseball field.

SCOUTING THE AGGIES: UC Davis welcomes Gonzaga University to James M. and Ann Dobbins Baseball Stadium Monday, as the Aggies boast a 12-7 record, including going 6-5 when playing in Davis, Calif. The Aggies are fresh off of a three-game sweep of West Coast Conference foe Santa Clara University, in which UC Davis outscored SCU 22-8. The Aggies are riding a six game win-streak into Monday's contest. UC Davis is led by Ryan Scoma, the reigning Big West Conference Player of the Week, who is batting at an impressive .482 clip with 27 hits, 18 runs scored and 18 runs batted in. Last week, Scoma hit .571 with 12 hits and 10 runs scored. On the mound Eddie Gamboa leads the Aggies with a perfect 3-0 record and a 2.33 ERA. He is expected to get the start Monday vs. the Bulldogs when the two teams meet for the first time in the all-time series.

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, including ones for this weekend at Sacramento State University and UC Davis.

VAN WINKLE, WELLS LEAD ZAGS TO 2-1 SERIES: Tyson Van Winkle and Evan Wells led the Gonzaga University baseball team to a 2-1 series victory over visiting Utah Valley University earlier this week. Van Winkle and Wells each hit .429 in the series, going 6-for-14. Both Zags scored three runs, while Wells drove in four and Van Winkle three. Wells posted a 4-for-4 effort Wednesday with a double to lead the Bulldogs to the series title, while Van Winkle opened the set Monday going 3-for-5 with two doubles.

ZAG PITCHERS COMBINE FOR 11 K'S: Three members of the Gonzaga University pitching staff combined for 11 strikeouts Wednesday as the Bulldogs downed Utah Valley University 7-2. CJ McClure, the starting pitcher, earned the win as the junior allowed one run on eight hits over 5.0 innings while striking out five, including four straight. Cory Powell posted a strikeout during 1.0 inning on the mound, before freshman Cody Martin struck out five batters in 2.0 innings to close out the contest. Andrew Danner also saw time on the mound, throwing a shutout inning, but did not strike out a Wolverine batter.

FAMILIAR FOE: Marcus McKimmy will be facing a somewhat-familiar foe this weekend when the Gonzaga University baseball team takes on Sacramento State University. Last year, McKimmy played at San Jose State University, a fellow Western Athletic Conference, before transferring to Gonzaga in the fall of 2007. Against the Hornets in 2007 in WAC play, the native of Selah, Wash. hit .400 going 6-for-15 including three doubles, with three runs scored and three runs batted in.

FRESHMAN POSTS STRONG OUTINGS ON THE MOUND: Cody Martin is enjoying a strong rookie campaign as the freshman is maintaining a 1-0 record with a 0.61 earned run average in 10 relief appearances. Martin, who hails from Dos Palos, Calif., also leads Gonzaga University with two saves. To date, Martin has thrown 14.2 innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on 10 hits with 18 strikeouts. He is also holding batters to a .192 batting average - the lowest of any Bulldog hurler. Wednesday, Martin posted 2.0 solid innings of relief, allowing no runs on two hits while striking out five batters.

McKIMMY HEADS UP WCC RANKS: Senior transfer Marcus McKimmy is proving to be a strong asset to the Gonzaga University baseball team this season, as the 2007 All-Western Athletic Conference honoree is leading the West Coast Conference in four offensive categories. McKimmy currently leads the WCC in walks (16), runs scored (25) and on-base percentage (.510). He also ranks fifth in hits (26), seventh in stolen bases (5), tied for seventh in runs batted in (17) and ninth in total bases with 37.

PROTECTING POWELL: When senior Cory Powell takes the mound this weekend, 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.

HIT ME: The Gonzaga University bats pounded out 21 hits Mar. 14 against New Mexico State University as the Zags posted a 17-10 victory. The 21 hits mark the most hits for the Bulldogs in a single game since 2004 when Gonzaga recorded 22 hits against Utah Valley State University.

OUCH!: The Gonzaga University baseball team has been hit-by-a-pitch 43 times this season, including a season-high six times by Brigham Young University on Feb. 29. In comparison, Bulldog pitchers have only plunked 11 batters to date. Seniors Marcus McKimmy and Bryan Winston lead GU as they have been hit-by-a-pitch seven times. Last season in 58 games, the Zags were hit 65 times

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 20 contests, while Grant Kveder, a junior transfer, has started 16 contests. Freshman Brett Nicholas has started 14 games and sophomore transfer Drew Heid has started 11 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.

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 .560 with runners in scoring positions, including going 8-for-8 with runners on third and less than two outs. The junior has recorded nine runs batted in when there is two outs. Ryan Wiegand lead the Zags though, having posted 10 two-out RBIs.

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.

HARMON MOVES UP IN RECORD BOOK: Senior pitcher Brandon Harmon has moved into sole possession of second place in the Gonzaga University record book for career appearances. Harmon, who has started five games this season and made two relief appearances, was tied for fourth with Craig Miller (1979-82) with 67 appearances to start the season. The senior currently stands at 73 appearances, replacing Tyrone Cunningham (1986-89), who stood at 71, 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 9-4 record.

WEST COAST CONFERENCE RPI: The West Coast Conference is ranked at No. 6 in the conference RPI rankings, according to www.boydsworld.com. Earlier this season, the WCC reached an all-time high of No. 4The WCC trails only the Pacific-10 Conference, the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Big XII, the Big West Conference, and the Southeastern Conference.

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. 2 in the strength of schedule rankings, according to www.boydsworld.com. The WCC is followed in strength of schedule by fellow western conferences, Western Athletic Conference and the Pacific-10 and proceeded only by the Big West Conference. Gonzaga University's strength of schedule ranking is currently 49 as the Zags are scheduled to play, or have played, five 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.

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.

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 126-110 record for a .534 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.