April 3, 2009
Box Score
MALIBU, Calif. - Gonzaga University used an outstanding pitching performance from senior starting pitcher Matt Fields to pick up a 3-1 win over #26 Pepperdine University in the West Coast Conference series opener in Malibu, Calif. Friday afternoon.
Fields (4-1) allowed just one earned run on four hits over eight innings before sophomore closer Cody Martin got the final three outs in the ninth inning to preserve the win for the Zags (19-7, 3-1 WCC). After allowing a two-out first inning single, Fields retired the next 11 batters and only allowed singles in the fifth, eighth and ninth innings en route to picking up his fourth consecutive win.
Junior centerfielder Drew Heid's two-run home run and senior first baseman Ryan Wiegand's solo homer backed Fields' impressive performance.
Through the first five innings, the Gonzaga offense was also held in check by Pepperdine ace Nathan Newman who allowed just one Bulldog baserunner through that span. The GU lineup then got some swings off of Newman in the sixth. Freshman shortstop Ernesto Ortiz was hit by the pitch to lead off the inning. One batter later, Heid hammered a two-run shot over the centerfield fence for his second homer of the season. Wiegand later launched a solo blast to right field for his first home of the season to make it 3-0 Bulldogs.
Pepperdine put together a threat in the seventh after Fields had walked the first two batters of the inning to set up first and second with nobody out for the Waves. He continued to work down in strike zone though, inducing Aaron Gates to hit into a ground ball double play and then struck out Trent Diedrich to end the inning and keep it 3-0 Gonzaga.
The Waves made one last run as Fields came out of the game after allowing the first two Pepperdine hitters to reach to start the ninth inning. Martin then came in and got an infield popup, a fly out to left field and after two wild pitches allowed one run to score, struck out Denny Duron to end the game.
Newman (3-3) took the loss after allowing three runs in seven innings.
Ortiz finished 2-for-2 with a run scored and reached base in all three plate appearances.
The Bulldogs and Waves continue their series Saturday at 1 p.m.
