Gonzaga University
Pacific
Baseball Strands Championship Opportunity Against Pacific
3/15/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 15, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. - University of the Pacific (13-7-1) closer Ryan Jurvakainen worked out of a bases loaded situation in the top of the ninth inning as the Tigers defeated Gonzaga 10-8 at the Pepsi/Johnny Quik Classic. Gonzaga (11-10) will play in the 3rd place game of the tournament on Saturday afternoon.
Trailing 10-6 entering the 9th inning, Gonzaga loaded the bases with one out against Jurvakainen. Brian Munhall delivered a sharp single to center to close the gap to 10-8. Kevin Richardson singled to left to once again load the bases for the Bulldogs. Jurvakainen then struck out Nate Gold and forced Kemp Quackenbush into an infield pop-up to earn his third save of the season.
Pacific scored the games first run in the third inning as the Tigers pushed across an unearned run against Bulldogs starter Eric Dworkis. Gold gave Gonzaga its only lead of the contest with a two-run homerun in the top of the fourth.
The Tigers responded with a sacrifice fly by Octavio Amezquita and a two-run homerun by Nicholas Sekiya during Pacific's four-run fourth inning. Dworkis would work into the seventh but fell to 4-1 on the season.
The Bulldogs trimmed the lead to 5-4 in the fifth as Munhall reached on a bases loaded error and two Gonzaga players raced around to score. That would be the final runs Pacific starter Jason Godkin (4-0) would allow as he pitched through the seventh for his fourth win.
Tim Gilhooly added to Pacific's lead with a two-run homerun in the seventh. Gold connected for his second homerun of the afternoon in the eighth to bring Gonzaga within 7-6. For Gold it was his 13th homerun of the season.
Gilhooly and Cory Lake gave Pacific some much needed insurance with RBI singles in the Tigers three run 8th inning. The added runs insured Pacific of a championship game appearance, most likely against host Fresno State. Gonzaga will likely play Oral Roberts in the 3rd place contest.
Gold and Richardson led Gonzaga's 15 hit offense with three each. Lake led Pacific with three hits.
