May 6, 2005

Box Score

(Spokane, WA) - Gonzaga built up an eight-run lead, touching up San Diego ace Josh Butler for 13 hits and 10 runs (seven earned) before rain halted play in the middle of the seventh inning at GU's Avista Stadium Friday afternoon. After a brief rain delay, Gonzaga (26-18; 13-8 WCC) claimed the first game of the pivotal WCC Divisional series by a final score of 12-4.

Friday's series opener started out innocently enough for San Diego (27-24-1; 13-12 WCC) as USD All-America catcher Jordan Abruzzo hit his league-leading tenth homerun in the second inning to give the Toreros an early 1-0 lead.

Abruzzo's homerun was one of just three hits allowed by Gonzaga junior starter Josh Monroe (8-3), who struck out three and limited USD to just six base runners before an hour rain delay prematurely ended his outing after seven complete innings.

Monroe was supplied with plenty of run support and the Zags played excellent defense behind him. Extending a one-run GU lead in the fifth, Bobby Carlson and Will Ayala hit back-to-back doubles off Butler (7-6) to spark a four-run inning and give the Zags a 6-1 advantage. Freshman outfielder Shawn Wyat delivered the knockout blow and inning later, hitting a bases-clearing, 3-RBI double to put GU in front 10-2.

After play resumed in the bottom of the seventh San Diego received a run scoring single by designated hitter Matt Falk and sophomore outfielder Shane Buschini reached safely on a bunt-single to extend his current hitting streak to 16 games.

The two teams will resume the three-game weekend set on Saturday, with Game Two slated to begin at 1pm. USD is expected to start junior lefty Justin Blaine (7-4; 3.52 ERA) with Gonzaga countering with junior southpaw Patrick Donovan (5-5; 2.87 ERA).