Feb. 10, 2006
SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Gonzaga Bulldogs, behind six strong innings from Patrick Donovan, shocked the #10 Arizona State Sun Devils 9-1 in the second game of the Coca-Cola Classic at Surprise Stadium. In the first game of the day, the #2 Oregon State Beavers took out the Nevada Wolf Pack 12-4.
After a quiet first two innings, the Bulldogs blew the game open in the third, when they sent 12 men to bat, scoring seven runs, six off starter Ike Davis. All seven Bulldog runs came with none out, as Davis struggled through the shortest outing of his young career. He lasted only two innings, giving up six runs, five earned, on four hits. He also walked three batters. The Sun Devils scratched a run across in the bottom of the third, but they were unable to muster any more scoring during a frustrating evening at the plate.
ASU, who had nine hits in the game, always seemed to hit the ball hard right at a Bulldog. Willy Fox and Preston Paramore each had two hits, but the Sun Devils couldn't seem to get a hit in a big situation, as they stranded nine men on base and hit into three double plays. Gonzaga made several spectacular plays in the field, robbing the Sun Devils of some potential extra base hits.
One bright spot for the Devils was the pitching performance of Josh Satow. Satow went 4.2, giving up two runs, one earned, on two hits. The crafty lefty looked unhittable at times, striking out six Bulldogs during his outing.
Donovan earned the win for Gonzaga, putting him at 1-0 on the season, while Davis is saddled with the loss, dropping his record to 1-2. Darrin Holcomb had three RBI for the Bulldogs, part of his two hit evening. Holcomb was one of four Bulldogs to get two hits.
The Fourth Annual Coca-Cola Classic at Surprise Stadium continues on Saturday afternoon. The Gonzaga Bulldogs meet up with the Nevada Wolf Pack at 11 AM, while ASU and Oregon State will meet in a non-conference tilt at 3 PM. Both ASU and OSU participated in the College World Series a year ago. Pat Bresnehan will get the starting nod for the Devils, moving up one day in the usual rotation to face the second ranked Beavers.