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Zags Open Spring Break In Stockton
March 5, 2008
Games 9-11 Gonzaga at Pacific Klein Family Field (2,500) Friday, Mar. 7, 6 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 8, 2 p.m. Sunday, Mar. 9, 1 p.m. Live Stats: www.gozags.com Series Record: UOP leads 1-0 UP TO BAT: This weekend Gonzaga University will open a three-game series at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif. The series kicks off a spring break trip for the Zags, in which GU will play nine games in nine consecutive days. The series opener will take place on Friday as the Bulldogs tackle their first night game of the season - a 6 p.m. first pitch at Klein Family Field. Saturday the Tigers and Zags will face off at 2 p.m. before wrapping up the series Sunday at 1 p.m. ON DECK: Gonzaga University continues its spring break trip next week as it participates in the 2008 Pepsi/Johnny Quick Classic in Fresno, Calif. The Bulldogs will open the tournament Monday as they face Indiana University at 10 a.m. in the first game of the six-team event. Tuesday, GU will play the University of Utah at 10 before playing West Coast Conference foe the University of Portland in a non-conference contest at 2 p.m. Thursday, the Zags the face host Fresno State University in the night cap at 6 p.m. prior to facing off against New Mexico State University Friday at 2 p.m. The tournament will conclude Saturday with the consolation/championship games. LAST OUTING: Last week, the Zags opened their 2008 home schedule taking three-of-four games from Brigham Young University at Patterson Baseball Complex and Washington Trust Field. Gonzaga University took game one 19-12 on the heels of a two home run performance by Jason Chatwood. Also going yard in the game was Tyson Van Winkle and Bryan Winston. The Zags swept a doubleheader Friday as Evan Wells hit at a .500 clip for the day with two runs batted in and three runs scored to lift the Bulldogs 7-6 and 12-5, respectively. Gonzaga looked to complete the sweep Saturday but fell short 13-9 after allowing eight runs over the final two wins to provide BYU with the win. Sunday, GU traveled to Lewiston, Idaho and fell 8-7 to Lewis-Clark State College in exhibition play. BATS HEAT UP AT HOME: After batting at a .154 clip during its opening four-game series at then-No. 27 Oklahoma State University, the Gonzaga University bats heated up quickly against Brigham Young University. During the four-game series against the Cougars, GU posted a .392 average with Bryan Winston leading the pack, batting at a .538 clip. Gonzaga combined to post 47 runs on 56 hits, including 10 doubles, a triple and six home runs during the series. Prior to hosting BYU, the Zags had scored seven runs on 18 hits with only two coming as extra-base hits. Currently, Gonzaga is batting .285 as a team. LIVE ON THE INTERNET: All Gonzaga University home games, as well as select away games including the games against Pacific, will be available via Gametracker on the internet at http://www.gozags.com. Check the Gonzaga web site for all Gametracker and live stats links. SCOUTING THE TIGERS: The University of the Pacific heads into the week with a 2-5 record but will host Brigham Young University in two games before hosting Gonzaga University on Friday. The Tigers are led by Kurt Wideman, who in six games has hit at a .533 clip with six runs batted. Mike McKeever leads UOP in hits with 12 and runs scored with eight. Recently, McKeever went 4-for-14 with four runs scored and 2 RBI in a three-game series against the University of Washington. The Tigers' pitching staff is highlighted by Corey Kohnke, who is expected to earn the start on Sunday. Kohnke has a 1-0 record with a 5.79 earned run average in three appearances, one start, as he has struck out 10 in 9.1 innings. In its last series, UOP took two-of-three games from Washington. Prior to that, Pacific dropped a 15-6 decision to Santa Clara University. The Tigers hold the slight 1-0 all-time advantage over the Bulldogs with the lone appearance coming as part of the Pepsi/Johnny Quick Classic in Fresno, Calif. in 2002. BULLDOGS DROP EXHIBITION CONTEST TO WARRIORS: The Gonzaga University played an exhibition contest against Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho on Sunday, Mar. 1, falling 8-7. Since the contest was played as an exhibition, the result will not count towards the Zags' record nor will the stats count in season totals. Five Bulldogs recorded multiple hits in the game, including Brett Nicholas who went 3-for-5 with one run batted in and a run scored. Ryan Wiegand also displayed a strong offensive effort, scoring two runs while driving in one on two hits and three walks. CHATWOOD GOES YARD IN BACK-TO-BACK CHANCES: Jason Chatwood, a junior for Gonzaga University, made a big first impression during the Bulldogs opening home game on Feb. 28 against Brigham Young University. During the first inning, Chatwood stepped to the plate and nailed a home run over the left center field wall. Chatwood returned to the plate in the second inning and completed the feat again. This time, the native of Red Deer, Alberta hit a two-run shot to left field to become the first Zag since 2002 to hit home runs in back-to-back at-bats. Nate Gold was the last Bulldog to accomplish the feat as he went yard in back-to-back at-bats against in 2002. FRESHMAN EARNS FIRST COLLEGIATE SAVE: Freshman Cody Martin picked up his first collegiate save as the Gonzaga University baseball team posted a 7-6 victory over Brigham Young University during the first game of a doubleheader on Friday, Feb. 29. Martin allowed one unearned run on two hits during one inning on the mound en route to the save. For the season, the native of Dos Palos, Calif. leads the GU bullpen with a 0.00 earned run average in 5.1 innings, allowing an unearned run on four his while strike out three. WELLS PROVIDES OFFENSIVE THREAT: Junior Evan Wells has jumped out to a strong start to the 2008 campaign. The native of Olympia, Wash. is batting .333 with a team-leading 11 hits and a GU-best nine runs scored. He has posted three multiple-hit games, including a pair of three-hit performances. Wells is currently batting .714 with runners in scoring position as he continues to build on his five runs batted in. During last weekend's four-game series with Brigham Young University, the second baseman hit at a .500 clip, going 9-for-18 with seven runs scored. BATS HEAT UP IN OPENING HOME SERIES: During last weekend's four-game series with Brigham Young University, the Gonzaga University baseball team combined for 56 hits, including 10 doubles, a triple and six home runs. The Zags also scored 47 runs while driving in 45. The weekend was highlighted by an 18-hit effort by the Bulldogs in their home opener on Thursday, Feb. 28. The 18 hits were the most by a Gonzaga team since an 18-hit barrage since March 26, 2006 against Dartmouth College. RETURNING REDSHIRT LEADS GU: Tyson Van Winkle continues to swing the bat well as the sophomore is leading Gonzaga with a .429 batting average. Van Winkle, who is returning from a redshirt season after a wrist injury, has started five games for the Zags this season - one as the catcher and four as the designated hitter. He has posted three multiple-hit games as well as a team-leading three multiple- RBI performances. Against Brigham Young University on Feb. 28, he posted a 3-for-5 performance with a home run, three runs scored and three runs batted in. This weekend, Van Winkle will be looking to extend a five game hit streak. HOME SWEET HOME: The Gonzaga University baseball team continued to prove that there's no place like home last week, as it hosted Brigham Young University in a four-game series at Patterson Baseball Complex and Washington Trust Field. The Zags earned the series victory, taking three-of-four from the Cougars. Since the opening of the Zags' new facility last March, Gonzaga has posted a 16-4 record when playing at home. The Bulldogs have only dropped a series at the new facility as GU dropped two games to Utah Valley State College in a three-game series. LONE FRESHMAN: Brett Nicholas is the lone freshman expected in the Gonzaga University line-up when the season starts. Nicholas, who has started in six contests this season, comes to Spokane from Phoenix, Ariz. where he was a first team All-Desert Sky and All-Arizona Republic honoree at Pinnacle High. Currently, Nicholas is batting .294 with five runs batted in and three runs scored. NEWCOMERS SEE TIME IN THE STARTING LINE-UP: The Gonzaga University starting line-up has been loaded with newcomers to the Zags' program this season, as six different newcomers have earned starts in at least half of Gonzaga's games. Transfers Marcus McKimmy and Jason Chatwood, have each earned starts in all eight contests, while Drew Heid, a sophomore transfer, has started seven games in the outfield. Freshman Brett Nicholas and juinior transfer Grant Kveder have started six games, while Anthony Synegal, a transfer from San Jose City, has started three games behind the plate and one as the designated hitter. HARMON MOVES UP IN RECORD BOOK: Senior pitcher Brandon Harmon has moved into sole possession of fourth place in the Gonzaga University record book for career appearances. Harmon, who started against Oklahoma State University on Feb. 22, was tied for fourth with Craig Miller (1979-82) with 67 appearances to start the season. The senior currently stand at 69 appearances, one short of tying Billy Walker (1987-90) for third place with 70. The all-time GU appearance leader is Matt Siwek (1996-00) with 81 appearances. MARCH MADNESS: The month of March is scheduled to be a long one for the Gonzaga University baseball team. The Zags are slated to play 22 games in the month, allowing for only eight days without any competitions. Highlighting the busy month will be a nine-game road trip to the University of the Pacific and the Pepsi/Johnny Quick Classic in Fresno, Calif. The Bulldogs will wrap up the month opening West Coast Conference play with a three-game home series against No. 29 Pepperdine University. So far in the month of March, GU has posted an 0-1 record. DOUBLE TAKE: When you look down into the Gonzaga University bullpen this season, don't take a double take, there are two Zag's who look alike - twins Kyle and Jake Adkins. The Adkins brothers join the Bulldogs from Walnut Creek, Calif., where they both played at Los Lomas High. As a junior, Jake earned first-team All-Valley conference with a 0.86 earned run average in 20 innings with 25 strikeouts before falling victim to an injury as a senior. Kyle was a two-time All-Valley Conference selection as he earned three varsity letters in baseball. It is believed that the Adkins brothers are the only pair of identical twins in a bullpen at the NCAA Division I level. PROTECTING POWELL: When senior Cory Powell takes the mound against the Tigers on Sunday, you may notice something out of the ordinary. Powell, who redshirted the 2007 season, wears a helmet with a protective face mask when he pitches. During his junior season of high school at Borah High in Boise, Idaho, Powell took a ball off the face that changed his appearance on the mound forever. For the remainder of his baseball life he must pitch, play the infield or bat with the face mask, and subsequently the special helmet, in place. Earlier this season, Powell utilized a face mask that fit under a baseball hat, similar to one a basketball player would wear during a game. The mask interrupted his view, so Powell opted to return to wearing the special helmet on the mound. WAYT, WIEGAND EARN RIVALS.COM PRESEASON ACCOLADES: Gonzaga University's Shawn Wayt and Ryan Wiegand were both named Preseason All-West Coast Conference selections by Rivals.com. The All-WCC preseason team featured 13-members with the University of San Diego earning the most selections with four. In 2007, Wayt hit .341 with 44 hits and 22 runs batted in, while Wiegand batted .338 with six home runs and 45 RBIs. Both Zags were awarded unanimous all-league honors last season for their efforts during conference play. FORMER ZAG INVITED TO BIG LEAGUE CAMP: Clayton Mortensen, a prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals organization and a former member of the Gonzaga University baseball team, has been a non-roster invitee to the Cardinals' Spring Training in Jupiter, Fla. The Rexburg, Idaho native, who was recently named one of St. Louis' top prospects by Baseball America, is one of 11 pitchers that were named to the 24-man list. Mortensen spent his first summer of professional baseball with the Batavia Muckdogs, a Class A Short Season affiliate, and the Quad Cities River Bandits, the Cardinals' Class A affiliate. In total, he posted a 2.67 earned run average with 68 strikeouts in 60.2 innings pitched. Mortensen was drafted by the Cardinals in the compensation round of the 2007 Amatuer Draft as the 36th overall draft pick. PEPSI/JOHNNY QUICK TOURNAMENT: On Mar. 9-15, the Gonzaga University baseball team will participate in the 2008 Pepsi/Johnny Quick Classic in Fresno, Calif. The annual tournament is hosted by Fresno State University, as this year Fresno State will join Indiana University, the University of Utah, the University of Portland, New Mexico State University and Gonzaga in the tournament field. This season will mark the 30th anniversary of the event, as the Zags are making their 10th appearance at the tournament. ZAGS AT THE PEPSI/JOHNNY QUICK TOURNAMENT: All-time at the Pepsi/Johnny Quick Classic in Fresno, Calif. Gonzaga University has posted a 27-23-2 record. The Bulldogs have never won the tournament title at the event, but placed second place finish in 2003, when they posted a 4-1-1 record. The last time the Zags appeared in the six-day event was during the 2006 season, in which they posted a 3-3 mark. TOURNAMENT PLAY SINCE 1990: Since the 1990 season, the Gonzaga University baseball team holds a 78-62-2 record when playing in tournaments. Last season, Gonzaga went 7- 3 in tournament play, including capturing the Southwest Diamond Classic Tournament Title and the Banana Belt Tournament Title. The Zags posted a .700 winning percentage in tournament play as they landed four all-tournament selections. Mark Castellitto and Brandon Harmon were bestowed the honor at the Southwest Diamond Classic, while Shawn Wayt and former GU shortstop Aaron McGuinnes earned the honor at the Coca-Cola Spring Training Classic. ZAGS PICKED TO FINISH FIFTH: The Gonzaga University baseball team has been selected to finish fifth in the 2008 West Coast Conference preseason poll, as voted on by the conference's head coaches. Reigning WCC Champion, University of San Diego, received seven first place votes and a total of 49 points to edge out the Pepperdine University, 42 points, and Santa Clara University for first place. The Broncos also received one first place vote and 32 total points. Loyola Marymount University checked in at fourth with 29 points, just edging out the Zags, who received 28 points. The University of San Francisco was tabbed for a sixth place finish with 24 points, while University of Portland and the Saint Mary's College were picked to finish seventh and eighth with 12 and eight points, respectively. ZAGS RAKE IN LEAGUE HONORS: Former Gonzaga University standout Clayton Mortensen headlined eight All-West Coast Conference accolades during the 2007 season. Mortensen was named the conference's Pitcher of the Year as well as an unanimous All-WCC selection. Joining Mortensen as unanimous all-conference selections were current Zags' Shawn Wayt and Ryan Wiegand. Former Bulldog Darin Holcomb was named All-WCC, while current sophomore Jeremy Stumetz was named to the All-Freshman team. Former Bulldogs Aaron McGuinness, Mike Terry and current GU hurler Brandon Harmon were awarded honorable mention accolades. BULLDOGS POST HIGHEST FINISH IN WCC PLAY: By posting victories over then-No. 17 Pepperdine University on May 11 and 12, 2007, the Gonzaga University baseball team locked up its highest finish in WCC history, securing second place. Gonzaga had never finished higher than fifth when the conference played a non-divisional format. The Bulldogs finished fifth in 1996 and finished the 2006 campaign tied for fifth. The WCC played a non-divisional format Gonzaga's first three years in the conference (1996-98) and then went to the divisional format from 1999-05 before returning to non-divisional play last season. BULLDOGS EXCEL IN CLASSROOM: Two members, including one current member, of the Gonzaga University baseball team were awarded All-West Coast Conference academic accolades last season. Former Bulldog Aaron McGuinness and current second baseman Evan Wells each earned the distinction. McGuinness earned a 3.48 grade point average in exercise science while Wells posted a 3.95 GPA in journalism, which also placed him on the University's president's list. PATTTERSON BASEBALL COMPLEX AND WASHINGTON TRUST FIELD: The 2008 season marks the second year of play at Patterson Baseball Complex and Washington Trust Field. The new home of Bulldog baseball is a state-of-the-art facility that also incorporates an old-time baseball feel. The new stadium includes 1,300 theater-style seats and includes classic brick detailing. Major League amenities include a state-of-the-art infield, a professional candle lighting system and authentic home and visitor dugouts with underground passages to full-service clubhouses. The first game at the new facility was March 15, 2007 against Rider University. The facility also features eight light poles, two which are 90 feet tall while the other six stand at 80 feet. Dedication ceremonies were held April 20, 2007 prior to the game against Saint Mary's College. HEAD COACH Mark Machtolf: Mark Machtolf is in his fifth season as the head coach of the Gonzaga University baseball and 17th season as a member of the Bulldogs' coaching staff. Since being named head coach, Machtolf has posted a 117-107 record for a .522 winning percentage, placing him third all-time in Gonzaga history. During his tenure with the Zags', he has led the Zags to four-top five finishes and produced the 2004 WCC Player of the Year, Kiel Thibault, and the 2007 WCC Pitcher of the Year, Clayton Mortensen. He has overseen 33 Zags who have signed professional contracts, including 22 that were drafted into the Major Leagues. Under his guidance, Gonzaga has also landed 69 all-conference selections in addition to 15 All-WCC Academic honors. During the summer of 2006, Machtolf served as an assistant coach for Team USA. Under his guidance, the team posted a 28-2-1 record, including going a perfect at 8-0 record the Federation Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU) World Championships in Havanna, Cuba. A 1987 graduate of Stanford University, Machtolf was a member of the Cardinal's 1987 College World Series championship team and was an All-CWS selection.
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