Gonzaga University
Washington State
Cougs Slip Past Gonzaga, 5-2
4/2/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 2, 2000
SPOKANE, Wash. - Washington State (14-17) manufactured two runs in the top of the fourth inning and scored two insurance runs in the top of the ninth Sunday afternoon to defeat Gonzaga (15-14), 5-2, at August / A.R.T. Stadium in Spokane. The win evens the season series between the two schools at three games each.
The Cougars jumped on the board in the top of the first inning as Ray Hattenburg doubled home Shawn Stevenson to continue his hot weekend hitting against the Zags. Gonzaga starter Sean Lichter was able to work out of the jam stranding Hattenburg at third base to end the inning.
Gonzaga rallied in the bottom of the third inning to take a 2-1 lead. Adam Stokey doubled home Eric Rodland to even the score for the Zags. Stokey then raced home for Gonzaga's second run on a Barry Matthews single to left. The Zags would have opportunities all afternoon, but Washington State was able to avoid a big Zags inning with the help of three double plays.
Washington State fought back in the top of the fourth inning scoring two runs off Lichter (2-3). Justin Williams knotted the score at 2-2 with a sacrifice fly that plated Jordan Nilsen. Bookie Gates then scored the go ahead run on a ground out to first base by Evan Hecker. The one run lead would prove to be all Washington State starter Matt O'Brien (6-1) would need on the afternoon as he pitched seven innings of two run baseball. O'Brien becomes the first WSU starting pitcher to win a game since the Cougars defeated Gonzaga 18-2 in the Zags third game of the season.
The Zags threatened in the bottom of the eighth inning as Brent Church and Jason Bay led off the inning with singles. Reggie Rivard then forced Adam Stokey to ground into a double-play moving Church to third base. Todd Meldahl would get Barry Matthews to ground out to end the inning an preserve the Cougars 3-2 cushion. Meldahl would also pitch a scoreless ninth to record the save.
WSU's final two runs in the ninth came as Jason Grove scored Evan Hecker with a bases loaded sacrifice fly to right field. Gonzaga's Brent Church then misplayed a ball in left field to allow the other Cougar run to score.
Eric Rodland led the Zags with a 3-for-4 afternoon while Jason Bay collected two hits to push his season average to .430. Mike Jackson looked strong in relief for Gonzaga pitching 4.2 innings with five strike outs all the looking variety. Ray Hattenburg and Jason Grove each recorded two hits for the Cougars who were out hit by Gonzaga 11-8.
Gonzaga will once again be in action this Wednesday when they host NAIA defending National Champions Lewis-Clark State. The single game will start at 3:00 p.m. at August / A.R.T. Stadium.
