April 9, 2004
Box Score
SAN FRANCISCO - In a game in which Gonzaga University and the University of San Francisco combined for 25 runs and 37 hits it was Gonzaga (11-19, 5-5 WCC) which ended up on positive side of the scoreboard as the Bulldogs won the West Coast Conference series opener 16-9 on Friday afternoon at Benedetti Diamond. The Dons (14-19, 4-6 WCC) made a late charge in the bottom of the seventh inning but could not overcome the Bulldogs 14-3 lead heading into that inning.
The offense attack started early for the Bulldogs as they posted seven runs in the second inning to move out to a comfortable 7-1 lead. Matt Reding, Bobby Carlson and Brad Welker all had consecutive RBI hits to spark the attack, Reding's run producing hit accounting for one of seven Gonzaga extra base hits on the day. Chris Sinner then cleared the bases and put the game away with a triple down the right field line. San Francisco starter Kevin Rose (4-4) would survive the Bulldogs outburst in the second but would not be able to get out of the fifth as Gonzaga tacked on three more runs, Carlson chasing Rose with a two-run double with no outs.
Gonzaga starter Eric Dworkis (5-2) was effective in the early going against San Francisco as he pitched with a comfortable lead allowing only three USF runs through the first six innings. Scott Cousins drove home the first Dons run with a bases loaded single in the first but Dworkis escaped the inning with only one run scoring. Stefan Gartrell and Craig Click drove home the two USF runs in the fourth.
Leading 10-3 heading into the seventh Gonzaga pounded out four more insurance runs against the Dons bullpen as Marshall Bratton had a bases clearing double to lead the Zags charge. The insurance runs were helpful to Dworkis as he tired in the seventh allowing five San Francisco runs to cut the margin to 14-8. Joe Jacobitz had the big blast with a three-run home run against Dworkis that sent him out of the game. Dworkis was able to improve to 3-0 in WCC action as he struck out five batters and walked only one.
Each team had additional scoring in the ninth, Gonzaga scoring two runs and San Francisco adding one. Kiel Thibault, David Johnson, Carlson and Welker each had three hits for the Bulldogs, Thibault's three hits raising his season average to .455. Click and Jacobitz each had four hits for San Francisco. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon to allow for travel home for Easter Sunday. Start time for Saturday's twin-bill is Noon.
