May 7, 2004

Box Score

SAN DIEGO - The University of San Diego won game one of a crucial West Coast Conference series in dramatic fashion on Friday afternoon as Josh Hansen connected for a two-out three-run home run to lift the Toreros (29-20, 15-10 WCC) to a 3-0 win over Gonzaga University (20-24, 12-10 WCC) at Cunningham Stadium in San Diego. Both teams are currently chasing Loyola Marymount in the WCC Coast Division, the Lions will not be in action until a Sunday doubleheader against Saint Mary's in Moraga, Calif.

Hansen's home run ended a solid pitching performance by Gonzaga starter Eric Dworkis (7-4) as the junior right-hander scattered three San Diego hits entering the ninth inning. In the final frame Joey Prast singled to open the inning and Tom Caple was intentionally walked after Prast was bunted over to second. Hansen then connected for his gamewinner to right with two outs. Dworkis finished allowing only five hits with one strike out.

San Diego starter Kyle Collins was just as effective limiting the Bulldogs to just three hits over eight innings with two strike outs. Closer Nate Boman (2-1) picked up the win with a scoreless ninth. Gonzaga's three hits came off the bats of Kiel Thibault, Jason Wederspahn and Matt Reding all three players collecting singles. The Bulldogs placed runners in scoring position in three innings but could never collect the big hit as they stranded seven runners. San Diego was limited to only one runner left on base until the ninth.

Prast had two of the five San Diego hits on the afternoon as San Diego moves 2.5 games behind LMU. Gonzaga drops to 4.0 games behind LMU as the two teams will resume their series on Saturday at 1 p.m.