Feb. 5, 2005
Box Score
TEMPE, Ariz. - The Gonzaga University baseball team's late rally fell short by two runs as the ninth-ranked Arizona State University Sun Devils held on to hand the Bulldogs their first loss of the season in the Bob Schaefer Memorial Tournament.
With the win the Sun Devils improved to 3-2 overall and Gonzaga dropped to 1-1. ASU is now 10-0 all-time against Gonzaga.
After the Sun Devils jumped out to a three run lead in the second inning, the Bulldogs were able to slowly chip away at the lead. In the third inning Gonzaga got one back when center fielder Jackson Brennan launched a RBI double to left field bringing in second baseman Scott Campbell, who had doubled, cutting the deficit to two.
Preseason All-American catcher Kiel Thibault hit a solo shot over the center field fence in the fourth as the Bulldogs continued to chip away at the Sun Devil lead. Later in the fourth the Zags knotted the score at three when Campbell hit a sacrifice fly to right bringing home senior Jeff Culpepper for an unearned run.
ASU answered back with an offensive explosion scoring seven runs over the next four innings to take a commanding lead into the eighth.
Gonzaga cut into the led with two runs in the top of the eighth inning. Bobby Carlson doubled off the right field wall to drive in a run and Culpepper singled in Gonzaga's fifth run.
The Bulldogs put the tying run in scoring position in the top of the ninth inning. After four straight hits to lead off the inning, ASU's relief pitcher Zechry Zinicola appeared to get a double play ground ball, but shortstop Andrew Romine made his second error of the game and put runners on first and second with no outs and the Devils ahead 10-8. GU then hit a line drive and a pair of ground balls to end its rally.
Thibault led the Gonzaga offense going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI. Brennan added two hits and a run-scoring double and right fielder Culpepper went 2-for-5 with three RBI.
Junior starting pitcher Jay Bryner was saddled with the loss giving up seven hits and six runs in four innings. The junior college transfer struck out two and walked two to fall to 0-1. Four Bulldog relievers combined to give up four runs and seven hits over the final four innings. ASU's Jason Urquidez (1-0) picked up the win for the Sun Devils allowing five runs, one unearned, and six hits in seven innings of work. Zinicola picked up the save for ASU allowing one hit in one inning of work.
The Bulldogs return to action Sunday Feb. 6 against New Mexico State in a 10 a.m. game at Packard Stadium. Junior left-hander Patrick Donovan will start on the mound for the Bulldogs.
