Gonzaga University
Saint Mary's
Matthews Delivers Gonzaga Over Saint Mary's 6-1
4/20/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 20, 2001
SPOKANE, Wash. - Barry Matthews drove home two runs including a tie breaking solo home run in the bottom of the seventh as Gonzaga (19-18, 10-8 WCC) defeated Saint Mary's (14-26, 7-12 WCC) 6-1 on Friday afternoon to open a three-game West Coast Conference series at August/A.R.T. Stadium.
The Bulldogs jumped on top in the first inning as Kevin Richardson smashed a ball back up the middle to score Eric Rodland. Rodland has opened the game with a single to right and moved to second on an infield single by Brian Munhall.
Gonzaga starter Sean Lichter held the Gaels offense at bay in the opening innings setting down the first eight Saint Mary's batters. Brett Wayne broke up the no-hit bid with a single over the shortstop's head in the third. Saint Mary's manufactured its lone run in the fourth as Mike Reardon and Mark Teahen led off with singles, Reardon advancing to third base on Teahen's shot to center. Reardon then scored on a sacrifice fly by Tim Spooner. Lichter (4-1) would allow only three hits the remainder of the game as he struck out six for his first complete game of the season.
Tied 1-1 in the bottom of the seventh, Matthews broke the deadlock with a two out home run to right field off Saint Mary's starter Mike Byer (4-5). The Bulldogs would rough up two Gaels relievers in the bottom of the eighth scoring four more runs on five hits. Kevin Cave, Rodland and Matthews all had RBI hits in the inning.
Matthews and Rodland had three hits each for the Bulldogs while Wayne collected two of Saint Mary's six hits. The two teams will resume the three game series with a 1 p.m. game on Saturday afternoon.
