Feb. 13, 2000
Box Score
PASCO, Wash.-- Freshman catcher Jon Baeder hit a grand slam home run and Steve Curran, Shawn Stevenson and Ray Hattenburg each recorded three hits as the Washington State Cougar baseball team exploded for 17 hits and 18 runs to defeat the Gonzaga Bulldogs 18-2 in the final game of the Larry Barnes Baseball Series at Posse Stadium in Pasco.
The Cougar win prevented a sweep by the Bulldogs (2-1) and gives WSU a 3-4 record in 2000. Tyson Thompson (1-1) picked up the win on the mound throwing five strong innings while allowing only one run. Lanakila Niles, Garrett Alwert, Les McTavish and Sean Donlin held the Zags to one run and four hits in the final four innings.
Gonzaga starter David Hixson took the loss in his first start in a Gonzaga uniform. The right-hander did not get out of the first inning, allowing four runs and four hits in the first frame. A host of Gonzaga pitchers gave up 14 runs out of the bullpen. Davin Morita was the most impressive out of the pen for the Zags throwing two scoreless innings.
The Cougars waisted no time getting on the board, scoring four runs while batting around in the first inning. Left fielder Evan Hecker started the inning by drawing a leadoff walk and after consecutive singles by Stevenson and Stefan Bailie, Curran scored two with a double off the right field fence. Designated hitter Wes Falkenborg pushed home two more runs with a single to right field to cap the four-run rally.
In the second the Cougar bats exploded once again posting seven runs on the board behind five hits. Hecker got the rally started once again with a leadoff triple and came around to score on Stevenson's second single in as many innings. Curran and Ray Hattenburg added run-scoring singles and WSU once again loaded the bases setting the table for Baeder. Baeder made the most of his first hit in a Cougar uniform, clubbing a grand slam home run over the left field fence.
"To be honest I was just wanting to put the ball in play and get a run home," Baeder said. "I think I surprised just about everybody, including myself, when I hit that ball out of the yard. It was the best possible way I could imagine getting my first hit as a Cougar and one I will never forget."
With an 11-1 advantage, the Cougs batted around again in the third and added five more runs to their total. Hattenburg had a bases loaded double to score two and Hecker and Stevenson both added RBI singles.
After two scoreless innings, the Cougs got back on the board in the sixth with two runs. Bailie hit his first collegiate home run deep over the left field fence scoring Stevenson.
Stevenson, Curran and Hattenburg were the offensive leaders for WSU with three hits each. Curran ended the day 3-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored. Hattenburg also pushed home three runs. The 17 hits were the most by the Cougars in 2000, as was the 18 run outburst. Several Cougars made their WSU debut, including catcher Ryan Sullivan and Alwert. Infielder Kurt Paskal recorded his first at-bat in a Cougar uniform as well.
The Cougs will next be in action next weekend with four games in Arlington, Texas, for the Arlington Morning News Invitational. WSU will take on Nebraska, Texas-Arlington, and Arkansas in the round-robin tournament starting Friday afternoon.
Gonzaga 010 000 100 - 2 10 1
WSU 475 002 000 - 18 17 1
David Hixson, Sean Lichter (1), Darrin Trautmann (3), Sean Ingalls (6),
Gavin Morita (7), and Brian Munhall, Sam Hess (3).
Tyson Thompson, Lanakila Niles (6), Garrett Alwert (8), Les McTavish (8),
Sean Donlin (9) and Jon Baeder, Ryan Sullivan, Zach Bode.
W - Thompson (1-1), L - Hixson (0-1), S - None, HR - Baeder (1), Bailie (1).
T - , A - 383.
Gonzaga Hits - Bay 2, Doane 2, Hertz 3, Rodland, Matthews, Stokey.
WSU Hits - Stevenson 3, Bailie 2, Curran 3, Falkenborg, Hecker 2,
Hattenburg 3, Baeder, Knight, Bode.
E - Bailie (1), Rodland (1).
2B - Bay (2), Matthews (3), Curran (1), Hattenburg (3), Bode (1), 3B - Hecker (1).
c-o-u-g-s
Copy by Jeff R. Evans
WSU Sports Information
