April 25, 2008
Game Notes and Stats in PDF Format 
Game 41
Gonzaga at Saint Mary's
Louis Guisto Field (500)
Moraga, Calif.
Friday, Apr. 25, 3 p.m.
Saturday, Apr. 26, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Apr. 27, 1 p.m.
Series Record:
GU leads 33-20
Live Stats: www.gozags.com
UP TO BAT: Gonzaga University resumes West Coast Conference play this weekend as the Bulldogs travel to Moraga, Calif. to face Saint Mary's College. The three-game series will open Friday at 3 p.m. before games Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.
ON DECK: The Zags will return home Tuesday for a two-game midweek series with two-time defending national champion Oregon State University. The series will open Tuesday night at 6 p.m. and conclude with a 1 p.m. first pitch Wednesday. Following the set with the Beavers, the Bulldogs will resume league play with a three-game series hosting the University of San Francisco. The series with the Dons will open at 6:30 p.m. on Friday May 2.
LAST OUTING: Tuesday, Gonzaga University allowed three runs in the bottom of the ninth as Washington State University came back to defeat the Bulldogs, 9-8, in Pullman. Jason Chatwood led the Zags on the evening, going 4-for-5 with a run scored. Grant Kveder also posted a solid outing as the junior recorded three hits while scoring two runs. Drew Heid hit his second home run of the season in the second inning with a long ball off the left field foul pole.
LAST WCC OUTING: The Bulldogs swept a three-game West Coast Conference series from the University of Portland last weekend. Friday the Zags opened the series with the Pilots with an 11-5 victory. Matt Fields posted a career-high 10 strikeouts as the junior allowed two runs on five hits over 7.2 innings in the win. Gonzaga earned the series victory Saturday as the Bulldogs' posted seven runs in the third inning to prevail 9-8. Cody Martin pitched the Zags to a sweep Sunday as the freshman recorded a complete game in his first career start as GU won 5-1. Martin allowed one run on eight hits in the contest, as he ended the week with nine hits and one run allowed over 11.0 innings pitched.
LIVE ON THE INTERNET: All Gonzaga University home games and select away games, including this weekend's series in Moraga, will be available via Gametracker on the internet at http://www.gozags.com. Check the Bulldogs' web site for all Gametracker links.
WIEGAND NAMED WCC CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK: First baseman Ryan Wiegand has been named the West Coast Conference Co-Player of the Week. Wiegand earned the honor after leading the Bulldogs (23-16, 4-5 WCC) to a 5-0 record for the week for April 14. The native of San Diego, Calif. hit .429, going 9-for-21 with three home runs, seven runs batted in and four runs scored. Wiegand posted three multiple-hit games, including a three hit effort against the University of Washington April 15. In the game against the Huskies, Wiegand went 3-for-4 with three RBI and one run scored. The honor was the fourth weekly conference accolade awarded to a Zag this season, as well as the second selection in as many weeks.
SCOUTING THE GAELS: Saint Mary's College enters the weekend with a 20-17-1 record, including going 4-8 against West Coast Conference foes. The Gaels also boast a 14-6-1 record when playing at home in Moraga. Kyle Jensen paces the SMC line-up, thanks to a .407 record and a league-leading 12 home runs. Reliever Alex Schmarzo anchors the pitching staff with a 3.32 earned run average in 19.0 innings pitched. Starter Brian Justice heads up the starting corps, with a 4.37 ERA and a 3-2 record in eight starts. The Gaels are fresh off of a 7-4 loss to nationally-ranked Stanford University. During WCC play last weekend, SMC was swept in a three-game series by the University of San Diego. All-time against Saint Mary's, Gonzaga University holds a 33-20 advantage.
LAST SEASON VS. SAINT MARY'S: In 2007, Gonzaga University swept a three-game series from Saint Mary's College at Patterson Baseball Complex and Washington Trust Field. Ryan Wiegand led the Zags during the series, batting .583 with two home runs and five runs batted in. Evan Wells also hit over .500 in the series, as the second baseman posted a .545 average.
HARMON ON VERGE OF HISTORY: Senior pitcher Brandon Harmon is one appearance shy of breaking the Gonzaga University record for career appearances. Tuesday, Harmon threw 0.2 innings against Washington State University for his 81st all-time appearance. Harmon, who has started eight games this season and made six relief appearances, was tied for fourth with Craig Miller (1979-82) with 67 appearances to start the season. Currently, he is tied for the record with Matt Siwek (1996-00).
WELLS LEADS BULLDOGS IN WCC PLAY: Junior Evan Wells not only paces Gonzaga University with a .366 overall average, the second baseman also leads the Zags during league play by hitting at a .410 clip. Wells leads GU with 16 hits and nine runs scored in league play, while earning nine walks and stealing two bases. He also ranks second in the league with a .529 on-base percentage in conference contests.
WIEGAND LEADS CONFERENCE: Junior Ryan Wiegand leads the West Coast Conference in two offensive categories, and ranks second in two more. The first baseman leads the league with 62 hits and 16 doubles, while ranking second with 50 runs batted in and 109 total bases. Wiegand currently paces the Bulldogs, going 62-for-173 with nine home runs and 28 runs scored.
BATS HEAT UP IN PULLMAN: Gonzaga University's bats heated up against Washington State University Tuesday in Pullman, as the Zags posted 18 hits. The 18 hits barrage marks the ninth time this season the Bulldogs have recorded 15 or more hits in a game. Leading Gonzaga Tuesday night was Jason Chatwood, who went 4-for-5 with a double. Grant Kveder recorded three hits in the game, while Evan Wells, Marcus McKimmy, Ryan Wiegand, Tyson Van Winkle and Drew Heid each posted two.
MARTIN CONTINUES TO IMPRESS: Freshman pitcher Cody Martin continues to improve his impressive rookie resume, as the freshman boasts a team-leading 1.64 earned run average. Last Sunday, in his first career start, the native of Dos Palos, Calif. threw his first career complete game, allowing one run on eight hits while striking out four. Martin also pitched two innings of relief against the University of Washington last week. For the week, he posted a 0.82 ERA, allowing one run on nine hits over 11.0 innings. For the season, Martin boasts a 1.64 ERA in 19 appearances with a 2-0 record. He has allowed nine runs, seven earned, on 30 hits and eight walks over 38.1 innings pitched.
FIELDS PITCHES GEM, STRIKES OUT 10: Starting pitcher Matt Fields posted a career-high 10 strikeouts last Friday, as the junior earned his sixth win of the season. Fields allowed two runs on five hits over 7.2 innings as the Zags defeated the University of Portland 11-5. After walking the first batter of the game, Fields settled down to only allow one hit until the lead off batter of the seventh inning recorded a single to left field. For the season, Fields boasts a 6-2 record with a 4.84 earned run average in nine starts and 57.2 innings pitched. He currently leads the Bulldogs with 46 strikeouts, 25 of which have come during West Coast Conference play.
IN HONOR OF JACKIE ROBINSON: Gonzaga University junior Anthony Synegal commemorated the 61st anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball by wearing Robinson's number 42 last weekend. Across the nation last week, on April 15, all Major League Baseball teams paid tribute to Robinson by recognizing "Jackie Robinson Day" as a way of honoring his pioneering achievements and civil rights contributions. Synegal, who normally wears number 30 for the Zags, is in his first season with the Bulldogs after transferring from San Jose City College.
GONE STREAKING: Second baseman Evan Wells heads into the weekend looking to extend a team-leading 13-game hit streak. Wells' streak started Apr. 4 at the University of San Diego. During the streak, the junior has hit at an impressive .449 clip, going 22-for-49 with nine runs batted in and 15 runs scored. Wells is also working on an even longer streak, as he has reached base safely in all but two games this season, including the past 18 contests. Hot on Wells' heels is Ryan Wiegand, who boasts a 12-game hit streak. The junior is batting .418 in the dozen contests.
SENIOR TRANSFER SHINES: Marcus McKimmy, a senior transfer for Gonzaga University, is enjoying a standout season in his first year with the Zags. The transfer from San Jose State University is boasting a .342 average, going 54-for-158 with 11 doubles, five home runs, 43 runs scored and 40 runs driven in. Last season, McKimmy was an All-Western Athletic Conference second team selection for the Spartans.
OFFENSIVE THREAT: Eight of the nine batters used in Gonzaga's everyday starting line-up are hitting over .300. Evan Wells heads the brigade with a team-leading .364 average, while Ryan Wiegand and Marcus McKimmy at hitting .357 and .340, respectively. Designated hitter Mark Castellitto is posting a strong sophomore season with a .330 average, while transfer Grant Kveder is batting .322. Tyson Van Winkle and Drew Heid round out GU regulars batting over .300 as Van Winkle is hitting .316 and Heid, .308. Jason Chatwood jumped over the .300 mark Tuesday at Washington State after going 4-for-5. Chatwood is now batting .311. Bryan Winston is the lone member of the line-up with an average below .300, as the senior is hitting at a .248 clip.
LIVE ON THE RADIO: The Gonzaga University baseball team will have seven remaining games aired live on the radio in the greater Spokane area this season. Next week's games against Oregon State University, three games with University of San Francisco, a re-scheduled contest with Lewis-Clark State College and one game against Washington State University will be aired live on 1510 KGA. The broadcasts will begin 15 minutes prior to the scheduled first pitch. Calling games for the Bulldogs will be Tom Hudson with former head coach Steve Hertz providing color commentary.
ROOKIE TIES SINGLE SEASON RECORD: Freshman Cody Martin will be looking to become the Gonzaga University single season saves leader this weekend. On Apr. 12 against Santa Clara University, Martin pitched 2.1 innings allowing no runs on two hits to tie the 26-year old school record of 7 saves. The native of Dos Palos, Calif. is now tied with Randy Bostic (1982) for the record.
WIEGAND DOUBLES HIS WAY INTO ALL-TIME RANKS: Thanks to 16 doubles this season, Ryan Wiegand has propelled himself into the career doubles ranks. For his career, the junior has recorded 44 doubles, placing him ninth on the all-time list. Already this year, Wiegand has surpassed both Mac Gebbers (1978-82) and Don Lyons (1973-76) to enter the list. Gebbers and Lyons were listed at ninth and tenth with 43 and 42 doubles, respectively. The Gonzaga record holder for career doubles is Jerrod Wong (1993-96), who posted 59 all-time doubles.
HARMON PITCHES HIS WAY INTO ALL-TIME LIST: Senior Brandon Harmon has tossed 266.0 career innings, including 54.1 frames this season. His all-time innings pitched currently places him ninth in the career record books. Recently he surpassed Eric Dworkis (2002-04) and Gregg Harris (1983-86) on the list. Both Dworkis and Harris were tied for 10th with 250.0 IP. The native of Spokane is now 1.1 inning short of a tie for ninth place with Tom Gorman (1977-80) The school record for innings pitched is held by Mike Mahoski (1977-80) who logged 373.1 career innings pitched.
WIEGAND DRIVES TOWARDS CAREER LIST: Ryan Wiegand, first baseman for the Zags, continues to be a run producer for Gonzaga University as the junior has driven in 50 runs this season. For his career, the native of San Diego has posted 139 RBI, leaving him four short of cracking the career top-ten. For his career, Wiegand has posted 40 multiple-RBI games, including 16 this season. Wiegand drove in a season-high six runs on Mar. 9 at the University of the Pacific.
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.
CONTINGENCY PLAN: Due to inclement weather in Spokane, the scheduled three-game West Coast Conference series between Gonzaga University and Pepperdine University that was scheduled for the last weekend of March had to be modified. The series was shortened to a two-game set in Spokane. The third game of the series will be played, if needed, later in the season should the game be necessary to determine seeding for the WCC Championship. Most likely, the game will be made up at a neutral site in Southern California at the end of the season when the Zags take their already scheduled trip to Los Angeles to face Loyola Marymount University May 16-18.
BULLDOG BASEBALL ON TELEVISION: One remaining Gonzaga University West Coast Conference baseball game will be aired on GUTV this season. The April 29 tilt against two-time defending national champion Oregon State University will be aired on the campus station, which also airs on cable channel 15 in Spokane.
ZAGS EARN WEEKLY WCC HONORS: Grant Kveder, Marcus McKimmy, Cody Martin and Ryan Wiegand of the Gonzaga University baseball team have each been awarded West Coast Conference Player of the Week or Pitcher of the Week Accolades this season. Kveder earned the honor on Mar. 17 as the junior led GU to the 2008 Pepsi/Johnny Quick Classic title after batting at a .500 clip with five runs batted in, five runs scored and two stolen bases. McKimmy earned the honor on Mar. 14 as the senior led the Zags to series victories over Utah Valley University and Sacramento State University. During the week, he hit .423, going 11-for-26, with four doubles, a home run and 13 runs batted in. Last week, Martin was awarded Co-Pitcher of the Weeks honors after posting two saves, including tying the school record for saves in a single season. Wiegand was named this week's Player of the Week after posting a .429 average last week.
KVEDER NAMED TOURNAMENT MVP: Junior Grant Kveder of the Gonzaga University baseball team was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2008 Pepsi/Johnny Quick Tournament. Kveder 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.
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 137-119 record for a .535 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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