Gonzaga University
Saint Mary's
Zags Hold On For Game One Win
5/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 13, 2005
MORAGA, Calif. - Jackson Brennan's two-run homer in the ninth inning helped Gonzaga University hold off a late charge by Saint Mary's College to give the Bulldogs a 10-9 West Coast Conference win Friday afternoon at Louis Guisto Field.
With the win, combined with a University of San Diego loss, the Bulldogs (27-20, 14-10 WCC) move into sole possession of first place in the WCC Coast Division one game ahead of both USD and Loyola Marymount University. With the loss SMC drops to 18-28 overall and 11-17 in the WCC.
The Bulldogs were leading 7-5 heading into the ninth inning when GU scored three runs to give themselves a five run cushion. Darin Holcomb got things started when he reached on an error by the first baseman and moved to second on Jeff Culpepper's ground out to first base. Junior catcher Kiel Thibault then brought Holcomb home with his double to right center. That set the stage for Brennan's two-run homer that would eventually prove to be the difference in the ball game.
Saint Mary's headed into the bottom of the ninth inning down five runs, but dug in and put on a late rally to give the Bulldogs a brief scare. With one out, the Gaels started their rally with a Mike Sansoe two-run homer to left field. After an Orben Frederick single, Brian Bryne hit a two-run homer to right field cutting the Gaels deficit to one. Gonzaga relief pitcher Brandon Harmon then entered the game and didn't allow the Gales to push another run across giving the Bulldogs a sigh of relief.
The Bulldogs scored one run in the first inning, three in the second inning, two runs in the fifth inning and one run in the sixth inning to round out the scoring for the day.
Every batter that Gonzaga sent to the plate recorded a hit with Brennan leading the offensive charge going 2-for-5 with two RBI, two runs scored, one double and one home run.
Junior right-hander Josh Monroe (9-3) picked up his ninth win of the season allowing five runs on six hits, while striking out six in 6.1 innings of work. GU's Brandon Harmon recorded his fifth save of the season as he allowed no runs on one hit in 0.2 innings of work. Joel Fountain (5-8) was saddled with the loss for the Gaels allowing seven runs, one unearned, on nine hits in 5.1 innings of work.
The Bulldogs will return to action on Saturday afternoon in game two of the three-game series against the Gaels at 1 p.m.
