Feb. 27, 2000

Box Score

SEATTLE - Barry Matthews homered twice and Sean Lichter (1-0) pitched six and two-thirds innings of shutout relief to lift Gonzaga (5-3) to a 10-5 victory over the University of Washington (3-6) Sunday afternoon at Husky Ballpark in Seattle. The win gave the Bulldogs a split in the four game series with Huskies.

Trailing 5-4 heading into the top of the fifth inning, Gonzaga took the lead for good in the top of the fifth as Jared Hertz drove home two runs with a double down the left field line that scored Jason Bay and Adam Stokey. Both Bay and Stokey had reached base on walks given up by Husky reliever Tyler Shepple (0-1).

The Zags would then add three more insurance runs in the top of the sixth inning courtesy of Barry Matthews second home run of the afternoon, a three-run shot that plated Eric Rodland and Bay, both of which reached on singles. Matthews other home run of the contest was a solo blast that led off the second inning.

The Huskies offense all came in the opening three innings as Washington was able to chase Bulldog starter David Hixson from the game. Husky senior Ed Erickson had the big Washington blast with a two-run homer in the bottom of the third inning which spelled the end of Hixson's day as UW led 5-3. Sean Lichter would then enter the ball game for Gonzaga and scatter three hits in his six plus innings of work.

Matthews and Hertz both had big days at the plate for the Bulldogs as Matthews collected four RBI's and Hertz added three. For the series, Gonzaga pitchers struck out 56 Husky batters.

Gonzaga opens its 2000 home season next weekend as the Bulldogs host Pepperdine University in the West Coast Conference opener for both teams. The three game series at August / A.R.T. Stadium will start with a 2:30 p.m. single game on Friday followed by a 11:00 a.m. double-header on Saturday afternoon.