Feb. 22, 2009

Box Score

PHOENIX, Ariz. - All nine Gonzaga University starters recorded hits in a 14-2 win over the University of Nevada to take their second game of the day at the Grand Canyon Classic in Phoenix, Ariz. Saturday evening.

Following a 9-3 win over #10 University of Missouri earlier in the day, the Bulldogs (2-1) used 12 hits and seven Nevada (1-2) errors to put up 14 runs. Junior catcher Tyson Van Winkle drove in a career-high five runs with his second three-hit performance of the day and capped the Bulldog scoring with a three-run home run in the ninth. Five players scored two runs and four finished with at least two RBI for the Bulldogs.

The Zags took advantage of early Wolfpack mistakes, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the second after four UNR errors had been committed. Gonzaga then built up a 7-0 lead after bringing three more runs across in the fifth, all of which scored with two outs. Freshman right fielder Royce Bolinger's two-run double and an RBI single by senior second baseman Evan Wells highlighted the inning.

After Nevada brought two runs across in the sixth, the Bulldog offense continued to get swings, scoring six runs in the final two innings to put the game away. Senior designated hitter Anthony Synegal had a two-run single in the eighth and in the ninth, Wells added an RBI triple before Van Winkle finished off his near-perfect day with a three-run shot to left.

Lost in the Bulldogs' offensive explosion was the impressive debut of highly touted freshman left-hander Ryan Carpenter who retired the first 14 of 15 batters he faced and didn't allow a hit until the fourth.Carpenter (1-0) notched his first collegiate win after striking out eight and allowing just two earned runs in 6.2 innings. Senior A.J. Proszek fired 2.2 scoreless innings of relief to preserve the win for the Zags.

Gonzaga will close out their first weekend of the season with another matchup against #10 Missouri at 1 p.m. Sunday.