March 5, 2010
Box Score
SHREVEPORT, La. - Gonzaga University dropped the first game of its weekend series with Centenary College 2-1 Friday night after a wild pitch with two outs in the bottom the tenth inning allowed the Gents (5-4) to score the winning run and hand the Zags (2-4) the loss.
For the third consecutive start, Gonzaga starting pitcher Cody Martin dominated the opposing lineup, allowing just one earned run on three hits and striking out nine over seven innings. Martin has struck out at least nine in each of his three starts this season.
The Gents starting pitcher was equally impressive, holding the Zags lineup in check early on before he lost some control in the fourth inning as GU used a couple walks to push a run across. Sean Wilson was able to reach on a Centenary error to start the fourth inning and later stole second. Clayton Eslick and Mark Castellitto then each earned walks to load the bases with two outs. Chris Sturdivant picked up an RBI and gave Gonzaga the 1-0 lead after he was also walked.
Martin cruised through the first five innings allowing just two singles and striking out eight over the span. He hit a little bump in the sixth as a lead-off walk, a sacrifice bunt and a two-out RBI single by the Gents evened things up at 1-1. Martin sat Centenary down in order in the seventh and gave way to the Zags bullpen to start the eighth. Liam Baron pitched a perfect eighth inning but the Gents bullpen was able to match, holding the Bulldogs scoreless during that time as well.
The Gents nearly ended things in the ninth as a Gonzaga error put one runner on with one out. The next hitter doubled to left center and the Gent baserunner tried to score from first but Zags centerfielder Drew Heid got the ball to shortstop Ernesto Ortiz who turned and fired a perfect relay throw to Cameron Edman at the plate to tag out the runner and keep the game at 1-1. Right-hander Jacob Brown entered the game and got a groundout to send it extra innings.
In the tenth, the Gents started the frame with a single then put down a sacrifice bunt to push their runner to second. Reliever Billy Moon entered and induced a ground out but the Gent baserunner advanced to third base. The Zags then intentionally walked the next batter to set up a force out but a Moon wild pitch to the ensuing batter allowed the winning run to cross for a 2-1 Centenary victory.
Gonzaga was led at the plate by Andy Hunter who finished with two hits.
The two teams continue the series at Noon (PST) Saturday. The Bulldogs will send left-hander Ryan Carpenter to the mound for the game two start.
