Gonzaga University
Saint Mary's
Donovan's Gem Lifts GU To Victory
5/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 14, 2005
MORAGA, Calif. - Patrick Donovan's six inning gem guided the Gonzaga University baseball team to a 5-1 West Coast Conference win over host Saint Mary's College Saturday afternoon at Louis Guisto Field.
With the win the Bulldogs claim a pivotal three-game series with the Gaels, remain one game ahead of Loyola Marymount University in the WCC Coast Division standings and improve to 28-20 overall and 15-10 in the WCC. LMU defeated the University of San Diego Saturday afternoon which eliminated the Toreros from the WCC Coast Division race. With the loss the Gaels drop to 18-29 overall and 11-18 in the WCC.
After a shaky first inning, Donovan (6-6) settled down and only allowed two runners to move past second base for the remainder of his outing. He held the Gaels to one earned run on seven hits while striking out three in six innings of work.
After the Gaels took a one-run lead in the first inning the Bulldogs bats came alive as they answered with three runs in the second inning. Bobby Carlson led off with a single and moved to second on Will Ayala's walk. Freshman left fielder Shawn Wayt then hit his second home run of the season, a three-run blast over the center field fence which gave the Bulldogs a lead they would not relinquish.
The Bulldogs would add insurance runs in both the third and fifth innings on an error by SMC's third baseman and on Jeff Culpepper's second home run in as many days, a solo shot over the right field fence in the fifth inning.
Offensively for the Bulldogs Wayt led the way with his 2-for-3, three RBI, and one home run performance.
SMC's senior right-hander Kevin Trochez (5-5) was saddled with the loss as he allowed five runs, one unearned, on nine hits in six innings of work.
The Bulldogs will return to the diamond on Sunday at 1 p.m. for the conclusion of the three-game set with Saint Mary's at Louis Guisto Field.
