Gonzaga University
CSU Bakersfield
Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short against Bakersfield
2/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Box Score
PHOENIX, Ariz.—The Gonzaga University baseball was stymied until late Friday when a two-out ninth inning rally brought the Zags within two of CSU Bakersfield. The rally ran short, however, and the Zags fell 6-4 to the Roadrunners on day two of the Phoenix Muni Classic held at Phoenix Municipal Stadium and hosted by Arizona State.
Bakersfield made the first mark on the scoresheet, plating a run in the home half of the first inning. Jordie Hein drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third base in the next two at bats. Chance Gusberth then singled up the middle to plate the leadoff runner for CSUB, but GU starter Calvin LeBrun then fanned the next Roadrunner batter to get out of the inning.
The Zags got their first hit of the day in the top of the fourth inning when Dustin Breshears pushed a one-out hit into right center, extending his hit streak to 11 games. Sam Brown followed up with a single of his own, but the next two Bulldog batters made outs and the two GU baserunners were left stranded.
CSUB tacked on runs in each of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. They scored one each in all but the fifth, when Logan Trowbridge homered to left field with a runner on base. LeBrun retired the next two batters to end the inning. The freshman southpaw also recorded one out in the sixth inning before exiting the game in favor of Wyatt Mills.
Down to their final three outs, the Zags made a furious rally in the top of the ninth. Mitchell Gunsolus reached base to lead the frame, taking first on a fielding error by Bakersfield first baseman Cody White. Troy LaBrie, pinch hitting for Breshears, followed up with a single to give GU two on. The next two Zag pinch hitters made outs, but Nick Minteer brought in both runners with a pinch hit triple to left center. Tyler Frost followed up with another single through the left side, pulling the Zags within three. CSUB pulled starter Steven Gee in favor of Jarrett Veiga, but that didn't stop the Zag rally as Frost stole second and then scored on a single from designated hitter Cory LeBrun. First baseman Nick Nyquist then moved LeBrun to third with a single up the middle, but the GU rally ran out of juce when Lucas Gately then popped out to first base, ending the game at 6-4.
Bulldog Bites
- Five of the Zags' nine hits and all four RBIs came with two outs Friday. Through all 11 games this season, they've hit .336 with two outs (44x131) and 31 of their 54 RBIs have come with two outs. Opponents, however, have been limited to a .196 average (22x112) and only six RBIs with two down.
- By hitting safely just nine times Friday, the Zags snapped a stretch of five games where they collected double-digit hits. It was the Zags' longest stretch of 10+ or more hits since reaching double figures in six consecutive games March 25-April 5, 2012. Their longest such streak last season was only three games.
- Minteer's 2-RBI triple in the ninth inning was his first hit of the season and first career triple at Gonzaga. Also, his two RBIs were a career high.
- David Bigelow made his first appearance on the mound since Feb. 15 versus Utah Valley (7 games). The senior righty pitched a shutout eighth inning, falling two of the three batters he faced. He remains one of three GU relievers with a 0.00 ERA on the year. Also, Gage Burland and Mills turned in scoreless relief performances today as well.
- Frost, a freshman OF/RHP, has been red-hot at the plate in the last six games. Since the first game against UC Davis Feb. 21, Frost has hit .500 (11x22), tying for the best average on the team during that stretch with Brown. The youngster from Phoenix has brought in three RBI and scored seven runs to go along with three extra-base hits: two doubles and a triple during the seven days.
- Breshears went 1x3 on the day, extending his hit streak to 11 games. He's the only Zag to both hit safely and reach base safely in every game of the season as Gunsolus' reached base streak ended with an 0x4 day Friday. Since he only reached base due to an error in the ninth inning, Gunsolus' appearance on the base paths today does not count as safely reaching base.
Season Tickets Now Available
The home opener is rapidly approaching (Friday, March 13th at 6:00 p.m.), and it's time to start ordering season tickets! For just $50, you can guarantee yourself a seat at every home baseball game, or for $100 you may purchase a Family Pass, which allows up to two adults and four children to attend every game. To order tickets and for more information, please visit the GoZags.com/tickets, call 509.313.6000, or stop by the Gonzaga Ticket Office inside the McCarthey Athletic Center Monday through Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Mac Talk- thoughts from Gonzaga head coach Mark Machtolf
On Gee's performance
"He did a good job of keeping us off-balance. His stuff wasn't overpowering, but he did a good job of locating and really pitching."
On takeaways from the ninth-inning rally
"We can take a lot of good things out of the end of the game. We battled really well and put together some at bats. Hopefully that will keep us going into tomorrow."
Next Up
The Bulldogs (5-6) will wrap up the Phoenix Muni Classic with a single game against host school and nationally-ranked #9/18 Arizona State Saturday, Feb. 28. First pitch for that contest will be at 1:00 p.m. PT (2:00 p.m. local), again at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. RHP Andrew Sopko will take the mound for the Zags and is scheduled to face the Sun Devils' righty Darin Gillies.
