Feb. 22, 2002

Box Score

SPOKANE, Wash. - Gonzaga (5-5) scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning Friday afternoon as the Bulldogs rallied for a 9-8 win over Whitworth College (2-5) at August/A.R.T. Stadium. Kemp Quackenbush had the big hit in the ninth driving home three runs with a two-out bases loaded double.

Whitworth scored the games first run with a Kurt Reese RBI single down the right field line. Brian Savery scored on the hit after a two-out double to left center. Eric Rodland tied the game for Gonzaga hitting the first pitch over the left field wall for his second homerun of the year. Whitworth's Aaron Keller responded leading off the second with a solo shot of his own that staked the Pirates to a 2-1 lead.

Savery extended the Pirates lead to 5-1 with a two-run double to left center. Jake Krummel had an infield RBI single earlier in the inning. Gonzaga chipped away with two runs in the bottom of the fifth on a Danny Evans two-run homer to left. Whitworth extended their lead to 7-3 in the top of the sixth as Dave Marlow had an RBI single to left and the Pirates scored on a fielder's choice that would see Chris Hughbanks get tossed out as he over ran third base and could not beat the toss back to the bag.

The Zags again chipped away on the Pirates lead in the bottom of the seventh as Quackenbush and Jeff Culpepper led off with back-to-back doubles. Culpepper would come around to score on a single down the left field line by Garth Blumberg and Gonzaga trailed 7-5. A solo homerun in the eighth by Scott Biglin looked to put the Pirates in good shape for the upset victory.

Pinch hitter Kyle Rajsich led off the ninth with a sharp single to right. Consecutive walks by Rodland and John Gebbers loaded the bases for the Bulldogs. Relief pitcher Dan Lundeberg (0-2) forced a sacrifice fly by Kevin Richardson to get the Pirates first out. A walk to Nate Gold again loaded the bases for the Bulldogs. Catcher Brian Munhall then fouled out setting the table for Quackenbush's heroics. Quackenbush hit a high double to right center that Aaron Keller just missed on a diving catch attempt. Rodland, Gebbers and pinch runner Matt Reding all came around on the hit to give Gonzaga the thrilling win.

Greg Brooks (2-0) pitched 3.2 innings of relief to pick up the win. Quackenbush and Blumberg each finished with two hits for Gonzaga. Savery, Keller and Marlow all finished with two hits for Whitworth. The two teams will continue the two-game weekend series on Saturday at 1 p.m.