Battle-Tested Bulldogs Ready For WCC Championship
5/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
STOCKTON, Calif. - On the eve of the West Coast Conference Championship, the Gonzaga University baseball team spent the last hours of daylight at Banner Island Ballpark doing something they have done all season long - giving back to the community. Ironically the Zags, who hit the fewest home runs of the four participating teams in the tournament, were tasked the WCC youth clinic's home run derby.
"I hope that helping with the derby was foreshadowing that we are going to hit the biggest home run of the championship," joked head coach Mark Machtolf. "On a serious note, our team takes a lot of pride in helping in events like this. We are active in the Spokane community and it was an honor to help in the Stockton baseball community. I know it was a special night for the guys before we get to compete for a NCAA berth."
An automatic entry into the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship is at stake for the Zags in the four team tournament. The Bulldogs, who tied for second in the conference with a 17-10 record, enter as the No. 3 seed and hope to return to the national tournament for the first time since 2009.
Gonzaga opens the tournament Thursday against Loyola Marymount University at 7 p.m. The second seeded Lions took the series from the Bulldogs in Spokane earlier this year but enter the tournament 6-8 in their last 14 games. Meanwhile the Zags enter 15-5 in their last 20 games.
"We are not a team that is going to ‘wow' the crowd," Machtolf said. "You can see that by some of our power numbers. If you are a true baseball fan then you will appreciate how we play. The team does all the small things that will keep you in a game. This group refuses to give in and constantly battles. They always find a way to put us in a position to win."
The underdog mentality and finding ways to win has been story of the Bulldogs this year. GU went 10-7 in one-run games with six of those victories coming against WCC opponents. Knowing they can play close with anyone in the league, the club looks to carry its momentum into a familiar tournament setting.
"We are the only team to return to Stockton from last year's field," Machtolf stated. "At practice it was clear that we were more comfortable than last season. It was a brand new event a year ago and everyone was still trying to figure it out. This year we come in loose and ready to play. We know what to expect and we are ready to go."
Mitchell Gunsolus, Cory LeBrun, Caleb Wood, Brock Slavin, Taylor Jones, Payden Cawley Lamb and Kenny Smith all played in the 2013 tournament where GU went 0-2 after entering the weekend as the top seed. Despite the frustrating showing last year, the Bulldogs are poised to change its fortunes in the 2014 Championship.
"There is always pressure and expectations when you make it to the championship," Machtolf explained. "It is a little different this year as the third seed. We are the underdog who was predicted not to be here, but here we are. We want to prove everyone wrong and it begins with the game against Loyola Marymount."
The winner of the Zags and Lions will face victor of the Santa Clara and Pepperdine game on Friday. All Thursday and Friday's games will be watched on theW.tv and Saturday's championship will be on ESPNU.
