April 20, 2002
Box Score
Errol Simonitsch (3-3) scattered eight hits over nine innings Saturday afternoon as the Gonzaga starter pitched a complete game during the Bulldogs 9-1 win over Loyola Marymount (16-24, 9-7 WCC) at August/A.R.T. Stadium. Gonzaga (22-17, 10-7 WCC) and Loyola Marymount will conclude the three-game West Coast Conference series on Sunday at noon.
The Bulldogs provided Simonitsch all the offense he would need on the afternoon as they erupted for seven runs in the opening inning. Eric Rodland opened with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Grant Zurmely sacrificed Rodland to third and Nate Gold, the NCAA's leading home run hitter, was intentionally walked with first base open. Jeff Culpepper would make LMU starter Justin Abreu (3-3) pay for that walk with an RBI single to center field. Brian Munhall and Kemp Quackenbush would then follow with singles, Munhall's scoring Gold from second base.
Designated hitter Kevin Richardson then drove a ball down the left field for a two-run double to increase the Zags lead to 4-0. Sam Hess would follow with an RBI single and Zurmely drove home two with a single to center. With first base open Loyola Marymount again intentionally walked Gold before Abreu could get out of the inning with a fielder's choice by Culpepper.
Gonzaga would add a single run against Abreu in the second as Richardson singled up the middle to score Munhall. Munhall collected the Bulldogs final RBI when he was hit by a Kevin Jenson pitch with bases loaded in the fifth.
Loyola Marymount's lone run in the game came in the third inning as Billy Lockin hit a solo home run to left field. Gonzaga's defense was solid behind Simonitsch as they turned four double plays on the afternoon. The left-handed starter also helped himself with nine strike outs and only one walk.
Zurmely finished the day 4-for-4 at the plate while Rodland and Culpepper each finished with three hits. Jonathan Higashi led LMU with a 2-for-4 afternoon while Tommy Perez saw his 20-game hitting streak come to an end with an 0-for-4 day.
