April 26, 2008

Box Score

Moraga, Calif. - Evan Wells extended his season-high hit streak to 15 games Saturday, but it wasn't enough as the Gonzaga University baseball team dropped a 3-2 decision to host Saint Mary's College in Moraga, Calif. The loss evens the three-game West Coast Conference series at 1-1.

Bulldog (24-18, 6-7 WCC) starter AJ Proszek (2-4) suffered the loss, allowing three runs on six hits while going the distance. The Gaels' (21-18-1, 5-9 WCC) starting pitcher Brian Justice (4-2) earned the victory, allowing two runs on five hits over eight innings. Reliever Alex Schmarzo earned his first save of the season after pitching a perfect ninth inning.

Saint Mary's scored all three of its runs during the opening two frames. In the first, Brian Hawkins drew a walk to lead off the inning before advancing to third on a sacrifice and a single by Kyle Jensen. Hawkins was then plated as Kenny Fuglerud hit into a fielder's choice. The Gaels added two runs in the second, bringing their early lead to 3-0. Justin Fazio, who reached when he was hit-by-a-pitch, scored the first inning tally on a single up the middle by Randy Wells. The next batter, Daniel Alcaire, hit a sacrifice fly that plated Anthony Aliotti, who had reached on a single through the right side.

The Zags scored their first run in the sixth inning, narrowing SMC's lead to two runs. Drew Heid led off the frame, earning first after he was hit-by-a-pitch. Heid then advanced to third on Wells' lone hit of the contest, a single to right. The next batter, Jason Chatwood, earned the run batted in as the junior hit a sacrifice to score Heid.

Gonzaga capped scoring in the seventh inning thanks to a sacrifice by Bryan Winston. Tyson Van Winkle led off the inning with a double to right center, before advancing to third on a single by Grant Kveder and scoring on the sacrifice.

The Bulldogs were held to five hits on the afternoon, the lowest hit total for Gonzaga since April 6. Since April 6, there has only been one other game in which the Zags were held to single digit hits.

GU and Saint Mary's will play the rubber match of the three-game series Sunday to 1 p.m. at Luis Guisto Field in Moraga. Following Sunday's contest, the Bulldogs will return home for a two-game set with two-time defending national champions, Oregon State University. The series will open at Patterson Baseball Complex and Washington Trust Field Tuesday at 6 p.m.