March 19, 2000

Box Score

SPOKANE, Wash. - Gonzaga (11-10, 4-3 WCC) took advantage of several Loyola Marymount (15-8, 4-2 WCC) early errors to down the No. 23 ranked Lions, 19-4 in the opening game of a Sunday WCC double-header at August / A.R.T. Stadium in Spokane. The Lions rebounded in the night-cap, 8-4, to avoid being swept in the three game series.

In the opener, Steve Bennett (3-2) dominated Loyola Marymount hitters as he tossed seven innings of four hit baseball en route to his third victory of the season. Bennett shut out the Lions during his days work but was staked to an early 11 run lead following a six run third frame that blew open the game. The Zags posted three runs in the opening inning with Jared Hertz's base clearing double down the left field line. Hertz would be one of three Zags to finish the game with 4 RBI's.

In the bottom of the second inning, Gonzaga took advantage of two Loyola Marymount errors to score six runs (five unearned) off LMU starter Michael Schultz (3-3). The Zags big blows in the inning came courtesy of Kevin Hara and Danny Evans who both connected for two-run hits.

Loyola Marymount would create all of its offense off the Gonzaga bullpen as the Lions made the most of five walks to push across their four runs for the game. Barry Matthews then answered for Gonzaga in the bottom of the eighth inning as he crushed a grand slam over the right field score board. Jason Bay also collected his fourth home run of the season as he went 3-for-5 with 4 RBI.