Game 54: May 24 - at BYU - Larry H. Miller Field - Provo, UT - 5 p.m.
Game 55: May 25 - at BYU - Larry H. Miller Field - Provo, UT - 5 p.m.
Game 56: May 26 - at BYU - Larry H. Miller Field - Provo, UT - Noon
- END OF REGULAR-SEASON -
All times Pacific Time Zone and subject to change
Visit GoZags.com for live stats, video and audio availability
TV: BYUtv - Play-by-Play & Analyst TBA
Gonzaga University Bulldogs (32-21, 12-9 West Coast)
Probable Pitching Rotation
LHP - 13 Tyler Olson, R-L, 6-3, 190, Sr., Spokane, WA
(5-3, 2.46 ERA)
LHP - 7 Marco Gonzales, L-L, 6-1, 185, So., Fort Collins, CO
(7-2, 1.70 ERA)
Game 56 Starter TBA
(0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Probable Position Starters
C - 18 Maxx Garrett, R-R, 6-1, 215, Sr., Kennewick, WA
(.219, 14 R, 5 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 23 RBI, 2 SB)
1B - 7 Marco Gonzales, L-L, 6-1, 185, So., Fort Collins, CO
(.312, 19 R, 8 2B, 2 HR, 23 RBI)
2B - 20 Alex Stanford, L-R, 5-10, 180, Sr., Bothell, WA
(.307, 26 R, 10 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 8 SB)
3B - 5 Clayton Eslick, L-R, 5-11, 170, Jr., Gilroy, CA
(.328, 36 R, 8 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 23 RBI)
SS - 4 Steven Halcomb, R-R, 5-10, 165, Jr., Poway, CA
(.266, 25 R, 5 2B, 1 HR, 25 RBI, 4 SB)
LF - 11 Billy Moon, L-L, 6-0, 185, Jr., Spokane, WA
(.244, 13 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 2 SB)
CF - 32 Alex Bonczyk, R-R, 6-3, 190, Jr., Las Vegas, NV
(.226, 14 R, 3 2B, 10 RBI, 7 SB)
RF - 21 Royce Bolinger, R-R, 6-2, 200, Sr., Scottsdale, AZ
(.398, 43 R, 13 2B, 3 3B, 11 HR, 44 RBI, 3 SB)
DH - 26 Andy Hunter, R-R, 6-6, 220, Sr., Tucson, AZ
(.296, 19 R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 10 RBI)
Head Coach: 28 Mark Machtolf (Stanford University, 1987)
Gonzaga Record: 264-219-1 (9th year - 22nd at GU) Career Record: Same
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BYU Cougars (21-25, 9-12 West Coast)
All-time series versus Gonzaga: Gonzaga leads 13-12
Probable Pitching Rotation
RHP - 19 Desmond Poulson, R-R, 6-2, 192, So., Taylorsville, UT
(1-3, 3.91 ERA)
RHP - 21 Marc Oslund, R-R, 6-5, 215, So., Torrance, CA
(5-1, 4.53 ERA)
Game 56 Starter TBA
(0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Head Coach: 2 Vance Law (BYU, 1978)
BYU Record: 375-321-2 (13th year) Career Record: Same
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SELECTION SHOW: Following the conclusion of the regular-season Saturday, Gonzaga University will wait to see what its NCAA Baseball Championships fate is. The selection show will take place Monday at 9 a.m. PDT on ESPNU.
RECAPING LAST GAME: Gonzaga University is coming off a 1-0 10-inning loss to its in-state rival Washington State University Tuesday night. It was a pitching duel between Zach Abbruzza for the Zags and Joe Pistorese for Cougars. Both starters fired seven shutout innings before going to the bullpen in the eighth. Kenny Smith threw 2 2/3 innings of relief but suffered the loss after allowing a leadoff single, a sacrifice bunt and two-out RBI single in the 10th. Junior outfielder Billy Moon had two of the Bulldogs seven-hit evening while fellow outfielders, senior Royce Bolinger and junior Alex Bonczyk, both stretched their only base hits into a double. Despite losing the final game of the three-game season series, the Bulldogs had already won bragging rights for the year after winning the first two meetings in Spokane by the scores of 9-3 and 7-4.
ZAGS IN THE WCC STANDINGS: After sweeping the University of Portland last weekend, Gonzaga University improved its West Coast Conference record to 12-9 and is now in a three-way tie for third place in the league standings with Loyola Marymount University and the University of San Francisco. The University of San Diego and Pepperdine University entered the week tied for first with 14-7 records and will battle each other for the conference crown in Malibu, Calif. Also on the schedule this weekend, the Bulldogs will play the final weekend at seventh-place BYU (9-12), the Dons will cross the Bay Bridge to play seventh-place Saint Mary's College (7-14) and the Lions head to the Bay Area as well to face last-place Santa Clara University (4-17). The Pilots finished the WCC season with a 12-12 record and will finish the regular-season in non-conference play. The Bulldogs can finish as high as second place in the standings. But they will need help. The Bulldogs can secure second place by sweeping BYU and the Toreros sweep the Waves.
ZAGS IN RPI: Gonzaga University moved up six spots to No. 45 in the latest NCAA Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) standings Monday, which is the third highest ranking among West Coast Conference schools behind the University of San Diego (No. 28) and Pepperdine University (No. 33). RPI rates every baseball club on a weighted scale taking into factors such as a team's winning percentage, its opponents' winning percentage and the winning percentage of those opponents' opponents. Among the Bulldogs non-conference opponents this year, the University of Oregon (No. 5), University of Arkansas (No. 16) and Arizona State University (No. 18) sit in the top 35.
SCOUTING THE COUGARS: BYU recently took two of three West Coast Conference games over Santa Clara University last weekend in Provo, Utah. The Cougars won the first two games, 8-6 and 7-3, respectively, but the Broncos avoided the sweep with a 14-10 victory in the series finale. The Cougars have not been a team this season that swings for the fence. The team has combined a total of eight home runs throughout the year, with Kelton Caldwell and Jaycob Brugman both leading the team with two. Shortstop Austin Hall has been the hottest hitter on the team lately. He is currently on a seven-game hitting streak and has improved his batting average to .299 with a team-best 13 doubles, two triples and 18 RBI. The Cougars pitching staff compiles a 4.55 ERA with 186 walks and 307 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting .280 with 88 doubles, 12 triples and 20 homers.
LAST TIME VS. THE COUGARS: Although this weekend will be first meeting as West Coast Conference foes, Gonzaga University and BYU are quite familiar with each other as the two teams have met the last two seasons. Recently, the two teams split a short two-game series in Provo last year. Sophomore Marco Gonzales got the starting nod on the mound in game one, and although he fanned seven and allowed a hit and a walk in five shutout innings, former Zag catcher Cameron Edman was the highlight in the game after belting three home runs in his 5-for-5, six-RBI day to lead the Bulldogs to a 12-5 victory. He was a triple short from hitting for the cycle. In game two, the Bulldogs scored two runs in the ninth inning but the Cougars held on to beat the Bulldogs 4-3. Senior Andy Hunter surrendered a run on three hits and two walks in his four-inning start, but former Zag Mark Phillips allowed three runs across in the sixth to suffer the loss.
A WEEK OF COUGARS: Gonzaga University's two opponents this week, Washington State University and BYU, share a common nickname as they are both called the Cougars. It is the only time this year the Bulldogs have more than one opponent with the same nickname.
OLSON WCC PITCHER OF THE WEEK AGAIN: Gonzaga University baseball senior left-hander Tyler Olson has been named the Rawlings West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Week, as announced by the league office Monday. This is Olson's second weekly honor and Gonzaga's fourth honor this season. The lefty earned the Rawlings WCC Pitcher of the Week honor after firing eight solid innings last Friday to help Gonzaga beat the University of Portland 12-4. He fanned five and allowed one run on five hits and a walk. After allowing the only run in his outing in the third, he went on to retire 15 of the remaining 17 batters he faced before handing the ball to the bullpen in the ninth. A native of Spokane, Olson is 5-3 with a 2.46 ERA this season. He has thrown three complete-games this year and leads the ballclub with 82 strikeouts and 102 1/3 innings pitched. Olson earned his first WCC weekly pitching honor March 5. He was followed by senior outfielder Royce Bolinger, who was tabbed Rawlings WCC Player of the Week March 26, and sophomore left-hander Marco Gonzales, who received the WCC's weekly pitching honor April 30.
FANS REALLY SUPPORTIVE THIS YEAR: The 2012 season will be one to remember for Gonzaga University baseball when it comes to attendance. This season, the Bulldogs drew more than 1,000 fans a game seven times, capped by a program record of 2,011 against Loyola Marymount University on ESPNU April 28.
BOLINGER ENTERING THE RECORD BOOK: After stretching his only base hit into a double Tuesday evening at Washington State University, senior outfielder Royce Bolinger has registered 41 career two-baggers and is two shy from joining Mark Castellitto (2006-10) and Mac Gebbers (1978-82) for ninth-most in program history. The Scottsdale, Ariz., native currently leads the Bulldogs with 13 doubles this season.
ABBRUZZA IN STARTING ROLE: Gonzaga University freshman right-hander Zach Abbruzza received the starting nod from head coach Mark Machtolf for the second time this season Tuesday night at Washington State University. Although he did not receive a decision in the Bulldogs 1-0 10-inning loss to the Cougars, Abbruzza put together an impressive outing, surrendering four hits and walks each in seven shutout innings of work. Abbruzza has allowed only one run in 10 innings thrown as a starting pitcher. He's allowed four hits and six walks while punching out two batters.
ANOTHER 30-WIN SEASON: Gonzaga University used 17 hits and a stellar pitching performance by senior left-hander Tyler Olson to beat the University of Portland 12-4 last Friday. The win secured the Bulldogs their fifth 30-win season in the last six years.
HEID MOVES TO TRIPLE-A: Former Gonzaga University outfielder Drew Heid, currently playing professionally for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization, was promoted from Class A Advanced Inland Empire 66ers to Triple-A Salt Lake Bees May 15. The Touchet, Wash., native has appeared in five games since his promotion, going 4-for-19 (.211) with a double, two RBI and a stolen base. Overall in the minor leagues, Heid is 34-for-133 (.256) with six two-baggers, two homers, 11 RBI and seven stolen bases in 37 games. Heid, who was picked in the ninth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, donned a Zag uniform from 2008-10, owning a .376 career batting average with 140 runs, 38 doubles, 13 triples, 12 home runs, 85 RBI and 25 stolen bases. He also set the Zags single-season record for hits with 92 during his senior campaign in 2010.
GONZALES ON WATCH LISTS: Gonzaga University sophomore Marco Gonzales has been named to the watch list for two national awards. He was named to the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Watch List May 1 and was named to the watch list for the 2012 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award this past Monday. Gonzales, a first baseman and a left-handed pitcher, has compiled a 6-1 record with a 1.60 ERA in nine starts. He has 68 strikeouts and has limited opponents to a .197 batting average in 67 2/3 innings pitched. The Fort Collins, Colo., native is also having success at the plate, hitting .339 with five doubles, two home runs and 20 RBI.
WILLING TO MAKE THE SACRIFICE: Gonzaga University senior catcher Maxx Garrett has been very successful with laying down sacrifice bunts this season. The Kennewick, Wash., native entered Monday ranked sixth in the country for most successful sacrifice bunts with 19. The University of Virginia's Keith Werman leads the nation with 23 sacrifice bunts. As a team, Gonzaga has laid down 67 sacrifice bunts, which ranks 20th for the most in the country. Long Beach State University leads the nation with 90 sacrifice bunts.
PITCHING AND HITTING? NO PROBLEM: Gonzaga University's Marco Gonzales and Andy Hunter have been given double duties of both pitching and hitting lately. Gonzales has been penciled in as the pitcher in the batting order six times this season, most recently last Saturday against the University of Portland. When he is pitching and hitting at the same time this season, Gonzales is 5-for-24 (.208) with two runs, a double and a RBI at the plate, while on the mound he is 3-2 with a 1.57 ERA. He has tossed 51 2/3 innings and has 48 strikeouts. Meanwhile, Hunter has been inked as a pitcher in the batting order three times, most recently last Sunday against the Pilots. He is 2-for-9 with a walk and a RBI at the plate, while on the mound he is 1-0 with a 5.60 ERA in 17 2/3 innings pitched.
RUNS ARE HARD TO BE EARNED: Gonzaga University's pitching staff entered Monday with a 3.02 combined ERA, which places them 16th for the lowest in the nation. Coastal Carolina University's pitchers lead the nation with a 2.49 ERA. In the individual ERA category, sophomore left-hander Marco Gonzales' dropped his ERA from 1.76 to 1.70 in his outing last Saturday against the University of Portland, moving him up seven spots to 15th-best. Missouri State University's Nick Petree owns the best ERA in the country with a 0.91.
WE'RE WATCHING YOU: Seven Gonzaga University pitchers, along with their batterymate senior Maxx Garrett, have picked off 16 runners this season, which is second behind Pepperdine University's 18 for the most among West Coast Conference teams. Sophomore Marco Gonzales recorded his fifth pickoff on the year at Saint Mary's College May 5 to pass junior Billy Moon's four for the most on the team. Garrett and redshirt junior Tyler Olson are behind Gonzales and Moon with two pickoffs, while senior Andy Hunter, sophomore Kenny Smith and freshman Derek Peterson have each picked off one runner. In an interesting note, 11 of those pickoffs come from left-handers (Gonzales, Moon and Olson).
LANE OUT FOR THE YEAR: Gonzaga University will be without the services of leadoff hitter and third baseman Eric Lane for the rest of the season as the senior suffered a broken jaw after a collision with the catcher while sliding into home at the University of San Francisco April 22. Lane has been the Bulldogs leadoff hitter and third baseman all season. He owns a .313 batting average with 26 runs, six doubles, 15 RBI and has stolen three bases.
