March 25, 2008

Game Notes in PDF Format

Game 25

Gonzaga at No. 28 Washington State

Bailey-Brayton Field (3,500)

Pullman, Wash.

Tuesday, Mar. 25, 5:30 p.m.

Series Record:

WSU 109-68

Live Stats: www.gozags.com

 

UP TO BAT: This week the Gonzaga University baseball team will return to the Pacific Northwest as the Bulldogs travel to Pullman, Wash. Tuesday to face No. 28 Washington State University in the first game of a season long four-game series. Later in the week, Gonzaga will open West Coast Conference play by hosting Pepperdine University at Patterson Baseball Complex and Washington Trust Field. The series with the Waves, who are receiving votes in the national polls, will begin Friday at 6:30 p.m. before games Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.

ON DECK: The Gonzaga University baseball team will continue West Coast Conference play as it travels to Southern California to face No. 14 University of San Diego. The rematch of the 2007 WCC Championship Series will open Apr. 4 at 3 p.m. before contests Apr. 5 and 6 at 1 p.m.

LAST OUTING: Last weekend, the Gonzaga University baseball team earned a three-game series sweep over Sacramento State University before falling to UC Davis on Monday. The Zags opened the series with the Hornets Friday with a 4-3 victory as Grant Kveder went 2-for-3 and Marcus McKimmy drove in three runs for GU. Saturday, McKimmy and Ryan Wiegand led the Bulldogs to a doubleheader sweep as they combined to drive in 12 runs during the Zags' 9-5 and 18-12 victories. After resting on Easter, Gonzaga dropped an 8-2 decision to UC Davis Monday as Jason Chatwood led the Bulldogs at the plate with four hits.

McKIMMY NAMED WCC PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Marcus McKimmy, a senior on the Gonzaga University baseball team, has been named the West Coast Conference Player of the Week. McKimmy led the Bulldogs to a 5-1 week as they took series victories over Utah Valley University and Sacramento State University. The Zags took two-of-three from the Wolverines at home before sweeping the Hornets on the road. On the week, the senior hit .423 going 11-for-26 with four doubles, a home run and 13 runs batted in. McKimmy also led Gonzaga scoring eight runs and stealing two bases. For the week, he posted four multiple-hit games, including two contests with three hits. Saturday, in the first game of a doubleheader with Sacramento State, McKimmy drove in five runs on three hits. The honor is the first of McKimmy's WCC career. Last season McKimmy was named the Western Athletic Conference player of the week once as he played for San Jose State University before transferring to Gonzaga in the fall.

LAST SEASON VERSUS THE COUGARS: In 2007, the Gonzaga University and Washington State University baseball teams met four times on the field, with the Cougars taking the season series 3-1. Gonzaga earned its only victory of series on Apr. 10 with a 12-6 decision in Pullman. Washington State earned the series opener with a 13-2 victory at Patterson Baseball Complex and Washington Trust Field on Mar. 20, while also taking a 7-4 game in Spokane on Apr. 17. On Apr. 24 the two teams wrapped up the series as the Cougars downed the Zags 12-9 on Apr. 24 in Pullman. Shawn Wayt led Gonzaga in the four-game set with a .545 average and five runs batted in.

SCOUTING THE COUGARS: Washington State University, which is ranked 28th in this week's Collegiate Baseball poll, enters Tuesday's contest with a 14-7 record. The Cougars have been ranked as high as 25th in the national polls and are fresh of a three-game series with No. 12 University of California. In the series with the Bears, WSU went 1-2, avoiding the sweep with a 5-4 extra-inning win on Saturday. Freshman shortstop Shea Vucinich leads the Cougs with a .392 average. Senior third baseman Paul Gran leads the team with 27 runs batted in and 15 runs scored. On the mound, WSU is paced by Jayson Miller who boasts a perfect 3-0 record with a 3.94 earned average in five appearances and 31 strikeouts. Jared Prince continues to be a threat for the Cougars as the junior is maintaing a .300 average at the plate, while posting a 2-1 record on the mound with a 4.91 earned run average. Tuesday's meeting between Washington State and Gonzaga University will be the 178th meeting of all-time as the Cougars hold the all-time 109-68 advantage.

LIVE ON THE INTERNET: All Gonzaga University home games and select away games, including Tuesday's contest at Washington State University, will be available via Gametracker on the internet at http://www.gozags.com. Check the Bulldogs' web site for all Gametracker links.

CHATWOOD, CASTELLITTO GO YARD IN BACK-TO-BACK CHANCES: Heading into the season, no member of the Gonzaga University baseball team had hit a home run in back-to-back at-bats since Nate Gold in 2002. Just under halfway through the 2008 campaign, two Zags have already accomplished the feat. Chatwood, a junior transfer, 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. More recently, on Saturday, during the second game of a doubleheader with Sacramento State University, Castellitto became the second Bulldog this season to go yard in back-to-back chances. The native of Poway, Calif. led off the fifth with a solo shot to left center before stepping to the plate in the sixth, this time blasting a two-run shot to the same place.

COUGAR CONNECTIONS: Freshman Reedy Berg, who is expected to earn the start Tuesday at Washington State University, is connected to the Washington State athletic department despite wearing a Gonzaga University uniform. Berg's father, Reedy Berg, Sr., was a varsity basketball player (1978-80) for the Cougars, while his grandfather, Bill Rich, played baseball for WSU (1955-56).

MARTIN BURSTS INTO SINGLE SEASON RANKS: Freshman Cody Martin posted an impressive weekend last week, as the closer pitched 4.0 innings allowing one run on two hits en route to earning two saves. The right-hander now stands at four saves this season, placing him tied for ninth on the single season list and three short of the school record. Martin is tied with six other Zags who have earned four saves in a season, including current sophomore Jeremy Stumetz, who accomplished the feat last season. Randy Bostic holds the school record after earning seven saves in 1982.

HEID HEATS UP: Sophomore transfer Drew Heid enjoyed an impressive week as the Gonzaga University baseball team posted a 3-1 record. Heid led the Bulldogs with a .538 clip, going 7-for-13 with one run batted in and six runs scored. Heid earned three starts on the weekend, recording multiple-hits in each outing. Friday at Sacramento State, the native of Goldendale, Wash., went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. For the season, Heid is batting .269.

DOUBLE DUTY: Brandon Blank has overtaken a double-duty role for the Gonzaga University baseball team this season as the junior has seen time at the plate in 16 contests, while throwing 7.0 innings of relief. Blank, who is listed as an outfielder on the Zags' roster, has posted a .333 average at the plate with a triple and three runs scored. On the mound, he has allowed five runs on nine hits while striking out four. Saturday, against Sacramento State University, Blank earned his first career save as he pitched the final 4.0 innings of the second game of a doubleheader.

OUCH!: The Gonzaga University baseball team has been hit-by-a-pitch 50 times this season, including a season-high six times by Brigham Young University on Feb. 29. In comparison, Bulldog pitchers have plunked 24 batters to date. Seniors Marcus McKimmy and Bryan Winston lead GU as they have been hit-by-a-pitch eight times. Last season in 58 games, the Zags were hit 65 times. According to www.boydsworld.com and unofficial NCAA stats, Gonzaga ranks second in the nation in the category. Prairie View A&M currently leads the nation as the Panthers have been hit 51 times. Official NCAA stats will be released Tuesday.

BULLDOGS AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS: Tuesday, Gonzaga University will in search of its first win over a nationally-ranked opponent this season when the Bulldogs travel to Washington State University. The Zags opened the 2008 campaign dropping four games to then-No. 27 Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla. In 2007, Gonzaga posted a 6-8 record against ranked foes.

GOING YARD WITH DRAMATIC FASHION: Mark Castellitto has hit three career home runs, each of which came in somewhat dramatic fashions. Castellitto's first career home run came last season as he hit a two-out, two-run pinch-hit walk-off home run May 4 against Loyola Marymount University. The other two long balls came this past weekend as he went yard in back-to-back at-bats during consecutive innings.

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.

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 0.96 earned run average in 12 relief appearances. Martin, who hails from Dos Palos, Calif., also leads Gonzaga University with four saves. To date, Martin has thrown 18.2 innings, allowing three runs, two earned, on 12 hits with 19 strikeouts. He is also holding batters to a .182 batting average - the lowest of any Bulldog hurler.

ZAG PITCHERS COMBINE FOR 11 K'S: Three members of the Gonzaga University pitching staff combined for 11 strikeouts Wednesday, Mar. 19 against Utah Valley University 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.

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.

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 three relief appearances, was tied for fourth with Craig Miller (1979-82) with 67 appearances to start the season. The senior currently stands at 75 appearances. Recently, he replaced 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 will wrap up the month this weekend as they open West Coast Conference play with a three-game home series against Pepperdine University. So far in the month of March, GU has posted a 12-5 record.

BULLDOG BASEBALL ON TELEVISION: Six Gonzaga University West Coast Conference baseball games will be aired on GUTV this season. Games this weekend against Pepperdine University, Apr. 11-12 against Santa Clara University and Apr. 18-19 versus the University of Portland will all be aired live 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. Broadcasts will begin this weekend against Pepperdine University. The Pepperdine, 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 24 contests, while Grant Kveder, a junior transfer, has started 20 contests. Freshman Brett Nicholas has started 15 games and sophomore transfer Drew Heid has started 14 games. Anthony Synegal, a transfer from San Jose City, has started five games behind the plate and one as the designated hitter for the Zags.

KVEDER NAMED TOURNAMENT MVP: Junior Grant Kveder of the Gonzaga University baseball team was 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 on Mar. 14. 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 on Mar. 15. 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 on Mar. 11. On Mar. 12, 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 Mar. 13. On Mar. 14, 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 Mar. 15, the Zags scored seven runs in the sixth inning to rally and defeat Utah 17-10.

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 129-111 record for a .538 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.