May 21, 2005

Box Score

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Loyola Marymount University rallied to score four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Gonzaga University baseball team a heartbreaking 10-9 loss, ending GU's chance at winning the West Coast Conference Coast Division Crown Saturday afternoon in the second game of a doubleheader at Paige Stadium.

With the loss the Bulldogs fall to 28-25 overall and 15-14 in the WCC. With the win the Lions improve to 29-24 overall and 17-12 in the WCC and lock up their second consecutive WCC Coast Division crown. LMU will await the winner of the Pepperdine University and University of San Diego series on Sunday to know who they will face in the WCC championship series.

Gonzaga jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. Scott Campbell got things started with a single up the middle and moved to second on Darin Holcomb's single through the left side. After Jeff Culpepper loaded the bases with a single through the left side, Jackson Brennan drove in the first run of the game on a sacrifice fly to center field bringing Campbell across. Bobby Carlson then loaded the bases with a walk and Shawn Wayt drove in the final two runs of the inning with a single through the right side.

LMU responded with six runs in the second inning to take a three run lead. The Bulldogs were able to regain the lead in the fourth inning as they scored five runs. Campbell and Holcomb led off with singles and Kiel Thibault brought them home with his double to right center field. Then with runners at the corners Bobby Carlson hit a three-run homer to left field to cap the scoring for the inning. GU would add one more run in the sixth inning on Carlson's second home run of the game, a solo shot to left field, which gave the Zags a three-run cushion.

The Lions then put on a late rally in the bottom of the eighth inning scoring four runs to claim the win and the divisional championship. LMU scored on RBI singles by Kyle Mura, Michael Glomb and Joe Frazee and on a bases loaded Eric Farris fielder's choice.

Carlson led the offensive charge for GU going 3-for-3 with four RBI, two home runs and two runs scored. Darin Holcomb also had a solid day at the plate for the Bulldogs going 4-for-5 with two runs scored.

Brandon Harmon (2-1) was saddled with the loss for the Bulldogs allowing four runs on four hits in 0.1 innings of work. Andy Beal (4-1) picked up the win for the Lions allowing one run on three hits in 4.2 innings of work.

Gonzaga will conclude their 2005 season with a single WCC game against LMU on Sunday afternoon at Page Stadium at 1 p.m.