April 8, 2005

Box Score

SPOKANE, Wash. - The University of San Francisco Dons used a four run first inning to defeat the Gonzaga University baseball team, 4-2, in a West Coast Conference series opener Friday afternoon at Avista Stadium.

With the win the Dons improve to 23-9 overall and 8-2 in the WCC, while the Bulldogs fall to 18-12 overall and 5-4 in the WCC.

San Francisco opened the game scoring four runs in the first inning on four hits. Scott Cousins' RBI single through the right side scored Jonnie Knoble for the first run of the inning. Luke Sommer then recorded his first of four hits on the day for a three run homer over the right field fence to cap the scoring for the Dons.

The Bulldogs then started to chip away at the lead as they took back one run in the second inning. Center fielder Jeff Culpepper led off the inning with a single through the left side running his hitting streak to 17 games. After Culpepper stole second, catcher Kiel Thibault brought him in with an RBI single to right field.

In the fifth inning the Zags tagged one more run on the boards when Scott Campbell led off with a triple to center field and scored on a pass ball by USF catcher Jon Norfolk giving the Bulldogs a two-run deficit. The Bulldogs were unable to push across another run on the day leaving the game at its final of 4-2.

Culpepper and Thibault led the Bulldogs offense both going 2-for-4 with Culpepper scoring one run and Thibault recording an RBI.

Senior Nick Pereira (7-2) picked up the win for the Dons allowing two runs, one earned, on seven hits in nine innings of work. Junior right-hander Josh Monroe (5-2) was saddled with the loss for the Bulldogs allowing four runs on nine hits in nine innings of work.

The Bulldogs will return to the diamond on Saturday at 1 p.m. for game two against the Dons.