Feb. 13, 2005

Box Score

SURPRISE, Ariz. - Junior left-handed pitcher Patrick Donovan pitched seven scoreless innings as the Gonzaga University baseball team shutout the 12th ranked Sun Devils of Arizona State University 2-0 in the final game of the Coca-Cola Spring Training Tournament at Surprise Stadium.

Gonzaga improved to 3-3 overall with their first victory over the Sun Devils in 11 all-time meetings. Arizona State had its three-game win streak halted to fall to 6-4.

Gonzaga scored the only run it would need with an unearned run off Arizona State starting pitcher Zachry Zinicola in the top of the fourth inning. Senior right fielder Jeff Culpepper recorded a two-out single to left field, stole second base and then scored when junior first baseman Bobby Carlson rocketed the ball to center field and ASU freshman J.J. Sferra misplayed the ball.

The Zags would add an insurance run in the fifth when junior second baseman Scott Campbell hit a two-out RBI single to center field bringing across Matt Hibbitts, who reached on an error by ASU second baseman Joe Persichina, for another unearned run.

"This was a great win for our program," said head coach Mark Machtolf. "I thought Patrick Donovan pitched outstanding today as well as Chris Albrecht. The players came out and played extremely hard today and deserve this win."

Culpepper was the offensive leader for the Bulldogs as he went 2-for-4 with one run scored.

Donovan limited the normally potent ASU bats to only four hits and struck out three to improve to 1-1 on the season. After stranding the bases loaded in the second inning, Donovan did not allow a runner past first base in the rest of his outing. Sophomore left-hander Albrecht earned the save with two scoreless innings. Zinicola (2-1) made his first start of the year and was saddled with the loss as he gave up three hits and two unearned runs in 4.1 innings of work.

The Bulldogs will be back in action on Friday, Feb. 25 when they host the Utah Valley State College Wolverines in a three-game series at Basin College in Pasco, Wash.