April 18, 2008

Box Score

Spokane, Wash. - Starting pitcher Matt Fields, of the Gonzaga University baseball team, held the University of Portland to two hits over the opening seven innings as the Bulldogs posted an 11-5 victory Friday night. The game opened a three-game West Coast Conference series at Patterson Baseball Complex and Washington Trust Field.

Fields (6-2) posted an impressive outing, as the junior allowed two runs on five hits over 7.2 frames while posting a career-high 10 strikeouts. The 10 strikeouts was also a season high for any Bulldog (21-16, 3-6 WCC) pitcher. Portland (17-21, 2-8 WCC) starter David Gruener (1-5) suffered the loss after allowing six runs on six hits over the opening 1.2 innings.

Gonzaga opened scoring in the bottom of the first inning as Evan Wells scored on a bases loaded catcher's interference call.

The Zags exploded for six runs in the bottom of the second as they sent 10 batters to the plate, accounting for four hits, two walks, a hit-by-pitch and a throwing error. Highlighting the frame was a three-run home run to left field by Tyson Van Winkle. Marcus McKimmy and Grant Kveder also drove in runs during the inning thanks to a single and double, respectively.

The score remained 7-0 until the bottom of the sixth, when Mark Castellitto posted his seventh home run of the season. Following a double by Van Winkle, Castellitto hit a two-run shot to extend GU's lead to 9-0.

Portland avoided the shutout, posting its first two runs in the top of the eighth inning. Cory Whitshire scored the first UP run of the evening on a wild pitch before Chase Powell hit a double to right to score Clayton Shaw.

The Bulldogs answered with two runs in the bottom of the eighth thanks to a two-run double down the left field line by Byran Winston to plate Van Winkle and Kveder.

The Pilots added three runs in the top of the ninth. Two of the runs came on a two-run single by Shaw while the final run was plated as Riley Henricks hit into a double play.

The Bulldogs and Pilots will continue the three-game series Saturday at 1 p.m. The game will mark Youth Day at Patterson Baseball Complex and Washington Trust Field as all kids 12 and under will be admitted to the game for $1.