Gonzaga University
Washington
Culpepper Drives Baseball To 8-6 Win Over Washington
4/2/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 2, 2002
SEATTLE - Jeff Culpepper's two-run single through the left side with two outs and bases loaded in the ninth proved to be enough as Gonzaga (15-14) defeated Washington (12-11-1), 8-6, on Tuesday night at Husky Ballpark.
Gonzaga jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the top of the third inning as Nate Gold hit his 21st home run of the season off Husky starter Will Fenton. Eric Rodland and Kevin Richardson would score on the blast after drawing walks against Fenton. The home run ties Gold for the Gonzaga single season record for home runs previously set by Jeff Hainline in 1984.
After scoring the games first run on a Aaron Hathaway RBI single in the second, Washington tied the game with single runs in the third and fourth inning. Jay Garthwaite drove home the Washington run in the third with a sacrifice fly to center while Tila Reynolds collected an RBI single in the fourth.
The Zags had a chance to add to their total against Fenton in the fifth as they loaded the bases with a single by Richardson and walks to Gold and Culpepper. Husky reliever Scott Robertson was able to work out of the frame by striking out the side. Gonzaga was able to work out of a jam of its own in the bottom of the sixth as Washington catcher Aaron Hathaway was stranded at third after reaching with only one Husky out. Brad Welker was able to get two Washington ground outs to work out of the inning.
Gonzaga was finally able to break through against the Husky bullpen in the top of the seventh. Culpepper led off with double off the right centerfield wall before Garth Blumberg and Kyle Rajsich followed with RBI singles to give the Bulldogs a 5-3 advantage. Washington would use three pitchers in the inning before Trevor Gibson would get out the inning with a Grant Zurmely ground out.
The Huskies would strike back with some offense of their own in the bottom of the seventh as Tyler Davidson hit a solo home run followed by a pinch-hit two-run shot by Brian Johnson against Bulldogs reliever Brad Welker. GU would then tie the game at 6-6 in the top of the eighth as Kevin Cave singled just over the glove of Tila Reynolds to score Gold.
Washington threatened to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth as the loaded the bases against Bulldogs closer Eric Everson. Everson (1-2) was able to work out of the jam as Kyle Larsen grounded into an inning ending double play. Brian Barton (0-1) was charged with the loss for Washington.
Brian Munhall led GU with a 3-for-5 night while Hathaway was 5-for-5 for the Huskies.
