May 15, 2008
Game Notes and Stats in PDF Format 
Games 51-53
Gonzaga at Loyola Marymount
Page Stadium (1,600)
Los Angeles, Calif.
Friday, May 16, 3 p.m.
Saturday, May 17, 1 p.m.
Sunday, May 18, 1 p.m.
Series Record:
LMU leads 29-20
Live Stats: www.gozags.com
UP TO BAT: Gonzaga University will wrap-up the 2008 season this weekend with games at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. The series will open Friday at 3 p.m., before contests Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. Monday, if needed, the Zags will remain in Southern California to play a make-up game against Pepperdine University in Malibu at 3 p.m.
LAST OUTING: The Bulldogs wrapped up the home slate of the 2008 season this week, dropping games to Lewis-Clark State College and Washington State University. Monday, in a re-scheduled game with the Warriors, Lewis-Clark State posted four innings with two runs to earn the 8-3 win. Ryan Wiegand paced the Zags during the game, with three hits and a run batted in. Wednesday, the Bulldogs scored five runs in the first inning before being held scoreless through the remainder of the 11-inning game. Washington State secured the 7-5 win with two runs in the top of the 11th.
LAST WCC OUTING: Gonzaga University dropped a three-game West Coast Conference series to the University of San Francisco 2-1 two weeks ago in the final weekend of home games for the Bulldogs. In the series opener on May 2, the Dons scored five runs in the fourth inning to earn a 7-5 victory. Drew Heid led the Zags on the evening, going 3-for-5, while Ryan Wiegand drove in three runs. May 3, a walk-off home run by Jason Chatwood decided the 9-6 Gonzaga victory, before a three-run home run by USF posed to be the deciding factor in a 9-6 GU loss on May 4.
CONTINGENCY PLAN: Due to inclement weather in Spokane, the scheduled three-game West Coast Conference series between Gonzaga University and Pepperdine University that was scheduled for the last weekend of March had to be modified. The series was shortened to a two-game set in Spokane. The third game of the series will be played Monday should the game be necessary to determine seeding for the WCC Championship. This weekend the Waves play Santa Clara University. Should Pepperdine take two-of-three games from the Broncos, the game will not be made up. If Santa Clara takes two of three from Pepperdine, the game will need to be played Monday at 3 p.m. in Malibu.
IN SEARCH OF 30: Gonzaga University enters the weekend on the cusp of finishing the 2008 season with 30 or more wins. Should the Zags reach the plateau, it will mark the second consecutive season that GU has won 30-plus games. Last season was the first time since 1990 that the Bulldogs earned 30 or more victories. The 1994, 1995 and 2006 teams all finished their respective seasons with 29 victories.
LIVE ON THE INTERNET: The remaining Gonzaga University baseball games will be available via Gametracker on the internet at http://www.gozags.com. Check the Bulldogs' web site for all Gametracker links.
SCOUTING THE LIONS: Loyola Marymount University enters the weekend with a 22-30 overall record, including going 6-12 in league place and an even 10-10 at home. The Lions are led at the plate by Ryan Wheeler, who is currently batting at a .344 clip. Angelo Sonco is hot on Wheeler's heels, hitting .341 with 61 hits, 15 doubles and a team-leading 41 runs batted in. On the mound, LMU's pitching staff is bolstered by Ernie Cho. Cho has a 1-1 record in 23 appearances, with a 4.22 earned run average. Andy Beal heads up the starting pitching corps, with a 5.89 ERA in 11 starts, with 48 strikeouts over 62.2 innings pitched. All-time against Gonzaga, Loyola Marymount holds a 29-20 advantage, despite being swept in three games by the Zags last season in Spokane.
LAST SEASON VERSUS THE LIONS: Last season against Loyola Marymount University, Gonzaga completed a three-game sweep of the Lions in Spokane. The Zags took the series opener 7-6 thanks to a two-run pinch-hit walk off home run by Mark Castellitto. Saturday, Gonzaga secured the series victory, downing LMU 9-2 as former pitcher Clayton Mortensen allowed two runs on eight hits. Sunday, the Bulldogs completed the sweep 6-4 to secure their first 30 win season in 17 years.
BULLDOGS HITTING THEIR WAY INTO THE RECORD BOOKS: The Zags are on pace to set the program record for hits per game in a single season. Currently, GU is averaging 11.16 hits per game thanks to 558 hits in the 50 games to date. Gonzaga set the record with 10.98 hits per game during the 2002 season. This year, the Bulldogs have posted 10 or more hits in 32 contests, including posting a season-high 21 hits twice.
ZAGS POST STRONG SEASON AT PLATE: As a team, Gonzaga University is hitting .311 at the plate. Since 1974, the Bulldogs have only finished seven seasons hitting over .300 including only three in which GU hit over .310. In 1987, the Zags posted a .311 average, while hitting .310 during the 1981 campaign. The Gonzaga record for team batting average in a season was set in 1974, when GU posted a .329 average.
WELLS LOOKING TO CONTINUE DEFENSIVE PROWLESS: Heading into this weekend's three game West Coast Conference series with Loyola Marymount University, Evan Wells is looking to continue his outstanding defensive play in conference action. Wells is the only infielder in the West Coast Conference not to have been charged with an error this season. During WCC action, the junior has had 87 chances, making 37 putouts and 50 assists. For the season, Wells has committed four errors, for a team-leading .991 fielding percentage.
SOPHOMORE SHINES FOR GU: Sophomore transfer Drew Heid has proved to be a huge benefit to Gonzaga this season, as the outfielder currently leads the team with a .382 batting average. Heid, who transferred to the Zags from Walla Walla Community College, has played in 46 games this season, earning 40 starts. He has recorded 55 hits, 39 runs scored, 11 doubles, two home runs and 14 runs batted in. Recently, he moved up in the line-up to hit in the middle of the order, where he posses to be a threat to opposing pitchers, and a tough out, as he has only struck out a team-low 17 times this year.
WALK-OFF LIFTS GONZAGA: A solo walk-off home run by Jason Chatwood lifted Gonzaga over the University of San Francisco on May 3. After the Zags surrendered three runs over the final three innings, including the tying run in the top of the ninth, GU earned a 6-5 victory. With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Chatwood stepped in and connected for his fourth home run of the season over the left field wall to give the Zags the victory. The walk-off was the first since Mark Castellitto hit a game-winning long ball last season against Loyola Marymount University. Prior to Castellitto's walk-off, GU hadn't seen one since Kevin Richardson hit a walk-off during the 2001 season.
GONE STREAKING: Second baseman Evan Wells headed into the week looking to extend a team-leading 21-game hit streak, before seeing the streak snapped on May 12 against LCSC. Wells' streak started Apr. 4 at the University of San Diego. During the streak, the junior hit at an impressive .412 clip, going 33-for-80 with 16 runs batted in and 22 runs scored.
WELLS CONTINUES TO PROVIDE GU WITH RUNNERS ON THE BASE PATHS: Evan Wells leads Gonzaga with a .500 on-base percentage and is looking to improve on it as he has reached base safely in all but two games this season, including the past 25 contests.
MARTIN NAMED TO 2008 ROGER CLEMENS AWARD WATCH LIST: Cody Martin, a pitcher for the Gonzaga University baseball team, has been named to the watch list for the 2008 Roger Clemens Award. The award is given annually to the top pitcher in college baseball. The freshman is only one of five rookies to be named to the list. Martin, a native of Dos Palos, Calif. boasts a 4-1 record and eight saves in 25 appearances for Gonzaga. His eighth save of the season on April 30 broke the 26-year old school record for saves in a single season. His 2.39 earned run average ranks 33rd in the nation and fourth in the West Coast Conference. He is also second on the squad in strikeouts with 50 in 52.2 innings pitched.
ROOKIE BREAKS SINGLE SEASON SAVE RECORD: Freshman Cody Martin has become the Gonzaga University single season saves leader thanks to his eighth save of the season on April 30 against Oregon State University. Martin broke the 26-year old record of seven games that was held by Randy Bostic (1982).
HARMON BECOMES ALL-TIME LEADER: Brandon Harmon has become the Gonzaga University all-time career appearance record holder thanks to an inning for relief on April 27 at Saint Mary's. Harmon has seen time on the mound in 86 games of his Bulldog career. Harmon, who has started eight games this season and made 11 relief appearances, was tied for fourth with Craig Miller (1979-82) with 67 appearances to start the season. Matt Siwek (1996-00) held the school record with 81 appearances prior to Harmon surpassing the mark.
MARTIN CRACKS SINGLE SEASON RANKS: Freshman Cody Martin, a right handed pitcher for Gonzaga, has cracked the single season top-10 appearance list. With three games remaining in the season, Martin has already made 25 appearances this season, ranking him tied for sixth on the list. Prior to his appearance Wednesday against Washington State University, Martin was tied for seventh with former Zag Tim Gower (1990). Currently, the rookie is tied for sixth with Craig Miller, who made 25 appearances in 1982. Also on the single season list is current Zag Brandon Harmon, who appeared in 26 games during the 2006 season.
WIEGAND DRIVES INTO CAREER LIST: Ryan Wiegand, first baseman for the Zags, continues to be a run producer for Gonzaga University as the junior has driven in 62 runs this season. For his career, the native of San Diego has posted 151 RBIs, placing him tied for seventh on the career top-ten. For his career, Wiegand has posted 43 multiple-RBI games, including 19 this season. Wiegand drove in a season-high six runs on Mar. 9 at the University of the Pacific.
ZAGS ON THE VERGE OF BREAKING INTO TOP-10: Drew Heid, Marcus McKimmy, Evan Wells and Ryan Wiegand are all on the verge of breaking into single season top-10 rankings. Heid's current .382 batting average is only seven points shy of a tie for ninth place in the listing, while McKimmy is only eight runs scored shy of the list thanks to his 50 runs this season. Wells currently has reached base on a walk 41 times this year, and is one walk shy of a tie for 10 place. Wiegand, who already ranks in the doubles and runs batted in categories, is on pace to bust into the hits list, as his 79 hits is only three shy. Wiegand is also two home runs away from 13, which would place hit in a five-way tie for eighth place in the single season ranks.
WIEGAND DOUBLES HIS WAY INTO ALL-TIME RANKS: Thanks to 18 doubles this season, Ryan Wiegand has propelled himself into the career doubles ranks. For his career, the junior has recorded 46 doubles, placing him tied for seventh on the all-time list. Already this year, Wiegand has surpassed both Mac Gebbers (1978-82) and Don Lyons (1973-76) to enter the list. Gebbers and Lyons were listed at ninth and tenth with 43 and 42 doubles, respectively. Currently, the junior is tied for seventh with Barry Matthews (1999-01) and Darin Holcomb (2005-07) The Gonzaga record holder for career doubles is Jerrod Wong (1993-96), who posted 59 all-time doubles.
PROTECTING POWELL: When senior Cory Powell takes the mound, 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, similar to one a basketball player would wear during a game. The mask interrupted his view, so Powell returned to wearing the special helmet on the mound.
ZAGS EARN NATIONAL HONORS: Marcus McKimmy and Drew Heid have each earned national accolades this season thanks to outstanding performances. McKimmy was named the Collegebaseballhub.com West Region Player of the Week, and the Collegebaseballinsider.com West Region Player of the Week for the week of March 25. More recently, Heid was named the College Baseball Foundation National All-Star Line-up for the week of April 29.
ZAGS EARN WEEKLY WCC HONORS: Grant Kveder, Marcus McKimmy, Cody Martin, Ryan Wiegand and Drew Heid of the Gonzaga University baseball team have each been awarded West Coast Conference Player of the Week or Pitcher of the Week Accolades this season. Kveder earned the honor on Mar. 17 as the junior led GU to the 2008 Pepsi/Johnny Quick Classic title after batting at a .500 clip with five runs batted in, five runs scored and two stolen bases. McKimmy earned the honor on Mar. 14 as the senior led the Zags to series victories over Utah Valley University and Sacramento State University. During the week, he hit .423, going 11-for-26, with four doubles, a home run and 13 runs batted in. Last week, Martin was awarded Co-Pitcher of the Weeks honors after posting two saves, including tying the school record for saves in a single season. Wiegand was named last week's Co-Player of the Week after posting a .429 average, while Heid has been named the player of the week for two consecutive weeks. For the week of April 28, Heid posted a .667 average, before earning the accolade again on May 5 after hitting .588 in five games.
KVEDER NAMED TOURNAMENT MVP: Junior Grant Kveder of the Gonzaga University baseball team was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2008 Pepsi/Johnny Quick Tournament. Kveder was named the MVP after posting an impressive .500 batting average during the six-game event. The Alberta native went 10-for-20 with five runs batted in, five runs scored and two stolen bases. Nine of Kveder's 10 hits came as singles and the junior recorded only one extra-base hit - a double. Kveder's strongest performance at the tournament was a 5-for-5 outing against New Mexico State University on Mar. 14.
IN HONOR OF JACKIE ROBINSON: Gonzaga University junior Anthony Synegal commemorated the 61st anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball by wearing Robinson's number 42. Across the nation on April 15, all Major League Baseball teams paid tribute to Robinson by recognizing "Jackie Robinson Day" as a way of honoring his pioneering achievements and civil rights contributions. Synegal, a transfer who normally wears number 30, is in his first season with GU.
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.
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 142-124 record for a .534 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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