March 25, 2008

Final Stats

Pullman, Wash. - The Gonzaga University baseball dropped a 6-2 decision Tuesday to No. 28 Washington State University at Bailey-Brayton Field in Pullman, Wash. The game marked the first game of the season-long four game set.

Gonzaga (15-10) Reedy Berg (1-2) suffered the loss as the starter allowed five runs, all earned, on seven hits with no walks and two strikeouts. CJ McClure and Cody Martin each saw time out of the bullpen for the Zags, as Martin continued his stellar freshman campaign. Martin threw one inning striking out two en route to retiring the Cougars in order.

The Cougars (15-7) utilized four pitchers as starter Chad Arnold (2-2) earned the victory, throwing 6.0 innings allowing two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three. Michael Ratigan earned his first save of the season as the reliever took the mound with the tying run in the on-deck circle in the eighth inning.

The Cougars opened scoring in the bottom of the first, taking a 2-0 lead. After retiring the first batter, WSU pieced together a double, two singles and a sacrifice fly to account for the two inning runs.

Gonzaga knotted the score, 2-2, in the top of the fourth. Ryan Wiegand, who reached on a single to center, was plated on a double to right center by Mark Castellitto. Castellitto would then come around to score on a single to right by Anthony Synegal.

Washington State answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame to regain the lead 5-2. Jared Prince led off the inning with an infield single before advancing to second on a single by Alex Burg. Prince and Burg came around to score on consecutive hits by Matt Argyropoulos and Matt Fanelli.

The Cougars added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh thanks to a single to left by Paul Gran.

The Zags' threatened in the top of the eighth as Gonzaga had runners on second and third with one out but was unable to capitalize, leaving the tying run on-deck.

Grant Kveder and Ryan Wiegand paced the Bulldogs at the plate with both juniors earning two hits a piece. In addition, Castellitto reached based in all his plate appearances as the sophomore recorded a double, two walks and was hit-by-a-pitch. Castellitto also recorded a run and drove one in.

The Bulldogs will return to action Friday as they open West Coast Conference play with a 6:30 game against Pepperdine University. The series with the Waves, who are receiving votes in the national polls, will continue Saturday and Sunday with games at 1 p.m.