May 19, 2002

Box Score

SPOKANE, Wash. - Gonzaga (27-29, 14-16 WCC) loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning but the Bulldogs could not send their nine seniors out on a winning note as Pepperdine (30-30, 18-12 WCC) held on for a 5-4 victory at August/A.R.T. Stadium. Gonzaga's season is now over while Pepperdine will host San Diego for the West Coast Conference championship next weekend in Malibu, Calif.

Gonzaga started their ninth inning rally after Sam Hess reached on an infield error. After a Grant Zurmely single and Brian Munhall walk to load the bases with one out, Kea Kometani was able to get consecutive ground ball outs in the infield to pick up his first save and preserve the victory for Greg Ramirez (4-4).

The Bulldogs struck first in the contest as Kemp Quackenbush opened the second inning with a solo home run. Pepperdine would respond with three runs in the top of the third as Cory Brightwell hit a two-run home run and Simon Ferrer came around to score on the second Bulldogs error of the inning.

Munhall brought Gonzaga back to a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the third as he connected for a two-run home run that bounced off the top of the fence out of the park. Zurmely scored on the play after reaching on a lead off single.

Ed Montague would put the Waves back in the lead with the first of his two home runs in the fifth inning. Kevin Richardson tied the game with a solo home run in the sixth before Montague connected for the game winner in the seventh. Quackenbush (1-1) was saddled with the loss after 4.2 innings of relief and five strike outs.

Montague led the Waves with three hits while Brightwell, Ty Harper and Nelson Caraballo each had two. Zurmely, Nate Gold, Quackenbush and Kevin Cave each had two hits as the Bulldogs out hit Pepperdine 12-10. Gonzaga bid farewell to its nine seniors which included, Garth Blumberg, Greg Brooks, Kevin Cave, Brent Dayton, Nate Gold, Brian Munhall, Kyle Nearhood, Kyle Rajsich and Kevin Richardson.