Feb. 14, 2003

Box Score

SURPRISE, Ariz. - Gonzaga University (0-1) opened with a 4-1 lead only to see their hopes for an upset of No. 5 Arizona State (15-1) fade during the Sun Devils five-run third inning.

The Bulldogs jumped on ASU starting pitcher Ben Thurmond for four runs, chasing the right-hander in the third inning. Eric Rodland and Grant Zurmely each scored in the first inning on RBI by David Johnson and Gordon Corder. Gonzaga tacked on two more runs in the second and third innings on a double play and wild pitch.

Mark Sopko (2-0) put a halt to the Bulldogs offense when he entered in the third and pitched seven innings of three hit baseball. Both teams starting pitchers were a bit rusty following a 28-minute rain delay in the third inning.

Arizona State responded with a run in the bottom of the first to slice Gonzaga's lead in half. Bulldogs starter Ed Clelland handled the Sun Devils in the second before running into trouble in the third. ASU used combination of two walks and three straight singles to cut the GU lead to 4-3. John Gonzalez entered in the third for Gonzaga and was tagged with the loss after allowing four runs during 3.1 innings of work.

The Sun Devils added two insurance runs in the sixth inning as Steve Garrabrants and Dustin Pedroia drove home the final two Arizona State runs.

Rodland and Sam Hess each finished with two hits for the Bulldogs while Dennis Wyrick, Tuffy Gosewisch and Garrabrants all had two hits for Arizona State. Gonzaga will face Oregon State at Noon (PST) on Saturday during the second day of the Surprise Coca-Cola Spring Training Baseball Classic. Oregon State defeated Oklahoma State 4-0 in the first game on Friday.