Gonzaga University
Washington State
Bulldogs Drop Non-Conference Slate At WSU
3/23/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 23, 2010
PULLMAN, Wash. - Drew Heid picked up three hits and Andy Hunter hit a two-run homer but it wasn't enough as Gonzaga University dropped a 7-5 non-conference decision to Washington State University Tuesday evening.
Heid led the Zags (8-12) with a 3-for-4 effort while Hunter hit his team-leading sixth home run. WSU improved its record to 12-5 despite being out-hit 12-9 by the Bulldogs.
Gonzaga was the first two strike as Heid led off the game by reaching on an infield single. A Chris Sturdivant ground out moved Heid up to second and he later advanced to third on a wild pitch before Hunter jumped on a 1-2 pitch, launching a two-run homer over the left field fence. Mark Castellitto then reached as a two-base error by the Cougars right fielder and he was able to come around for the Zags third run of the inning on an Eslick double to deep centerfield.
WSU would put up their own crooked number an inning later as a walk, two wild pitches and three hits led to four runs and a 4-3 Cougar lead after two complete.
Two runs for the Zags in the fourth gave them a 5-4 lead as the first three Bulldog hitters earned walks before Sturdivant's single through the left side of the infield brought home two runs. That would be all Gonzaga would get in the inning as WSU escaped the inning without allowing any more runs by getting a ground out then an inning-ending ground ball double play.
Washington State would answer with a single run in their half of the fourth to even things up at 5-5. A single, a hit by pitch and a sacrifice bunt were followed by a sacrifice fly to score the game-tying run. The Cougars would go ahead for good an inning later, putting up two runs on a pair of run-scoring base-hits to take a 7-5 lead through five innings.
The Bulldogs would miss out on a scoring opportunity in the sixth as Heid doubled with one out and after a ground out, Hunter walked and Castellitto was hit by a pitch to load them up but the WSU bullpen buckled down and struck out Eslick to end the threat.
Gonzaga continued to battle in the final frame as Eslick reached to start the inning on a WSU error and was able to advance to second base. Yet again the Cougars bullpen would hold strong, retiring the next three hitters to preserve the 7-5 WSU win.
Mark Phillips took the loss for Gonzaga after allowing two earned in his 1.1 innings of relief. Bulldogs starting pitcher Tyler Olson received the no-decision after he allowed four earned and struck out five in 3.2 innings.
The Zags will head to Orem, Utah tomorrow to prepare for its three-game series against Utah Valley University beginning Thursday and running to Saturday.
