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Feb. 19, 2008

Complete Game Notes and Stats in PDF Format

UP TO BAT: The Gonzaga University baseball team will open the 2008 campaign Friday with a four-game series at No. 27 Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla. The series will open with a 2 p.m. first pitch Friday, before an 11 a.m. doubleheader Saturday and an 11 a.m. matinee game Sunday.

ON DECK: The Gonzaga University baseball team will open the home slate of the 2008 season with a four-game series against Brigham Young University. The games, which will be played at Patterson Baseball Complex and Washington Trust Field, mark the first time since 2002 that the Zags have played home games in Spokane this early in the season. In 2002, the Bulldogs played Whitworth College on Feb. 22 at Avista/A.R.T. Stadium. Last season, Gonzaga opened its home schedule on March 15.

COLLEGE BASEBALL CELEBRATES A TRUE OPENING DAY: Friday, Feb. 22, marks the universal start date in collegiate baseball this season as the NCAA adopted new legislation that was created to level the playing field for cold weather schools. Prior to this season, Division I teams could open the season as early as mid-January. Many warm-weather programs would open the home slate of the schedules a month or more prior to that of cold-weather schools. This season, all Division I teams, minus the University of Hawaii and University of Hawaii-Hilo, could not begin practicing until Feb. 1 and cannot start playing games until Feb. 22, providing 13 weeks to complete a full schedule. Despite the shortening of the season by nearly three weeks, teams will still play a 56-game schedule.

QUICK 2007 RECAP: In 2007, Gonzaga University's baseball program posted an impressive campaign, despite a disappointing end to the season. Last year, the Bulldogs enjoyed one of the most memorable seasons in history, including a 33-25 overall record, a 15-6 West Coast Conference record providing them with a second place finish and a trip to the WCC Championship series for the first time since 2001. The 33 wins marked the first time since 1990 that the Zags posted 30 or more victories. Unfortunately, the season finished when the Bulldogs narrowly missed out on a bid to the NCAA Tournament. The 2007 campaign was highlighted by eight all-conference accolades, including the program's first ever WCC Pitcher of the Year selection.

LIVE ON THE INTERNET: All Gonzaga University home games, as well as select away games, 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.

GU GARNERS VOTES IN NATIONAL POLLS: Gonzaga University is receiving votes in the Collegiate Baseball preseason poll. The last time the Bulldogs cracked the national ranking was in 2006, when Collegiate Baseball ranked them 29th. The highest ranking in Gonzaga history was a ninth place ranking during the 1980 campaign.

SCOUTING THE COWBOYS: The Oklahoma State University Cowboys are fresh off of a 2007 season in which they posted a 42-21 record and advanced to the Super Regionals of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history. Oklahoma State lost six positions starters, including its entire outfield, at the end of last season but is expected to rebound thanks to a talented incoming recruiting class and two high profile transfers - Matt Hauge and Luis Flores. Highlighting the Cowboys' 2008 roster is Jordy Mercer, a Baseball America preseason All-America honoree. A two-way player, Mercer is coming off a sophomore campaign in which he hit .299 with five home runs and 24 RBI in 40 games while posting a 3-1 record with three saves and a 3.81 ERA in 11 appearances on the mound a year ago. Currently, Oklahoma State is ranked as high as 27th in the national polls.

ZAGS NARROW DOWN STARTING ROTATION: The starting rotation for Gonzaga University this season is yet to be set in stone, but it is expected to feature one returning starter, two former members of the Bulldogs' bullpen and one junior college transfer. Brandon Harmon, a two-time All-WCC honorable mention recipient, is expected to be the Zags' Friday starter, with Cory Powell, who redshirted 2007, getting the nod in the first game on Saturday. Matt Fields is expected to start the second game Saturday. Fields, who put in time in the bullpen last season, posted a strong summer that should aid his jump to a starting position. Sunday's starter has yet to be announced by the Gonzaga coaching staff.

WIEGAND, WELLS RETURN TO INFIELD: The rightside of the infield will have a familiar look this season as the Gonzaga University baseball team welcomes back second baseman Evan Wells and first baseman Ryan Wiegand. Wells, who is expected to resume his roll as the lead off batter, started all 58 games at second last season, posting a .983 fielding percentage while only committing one error during West Coast Conference play. At the plate the junior hit .274 with 43 runs scored. Wiegand, a unanimous All-WCC pick a year ago, is Gonzaga's top returning offensive threat after posting a .338 average in 2007 after hitting at a .330 clip as a freshman. The junior ranked second on the squad in hits (73), doubles (14), runs batted in (45), total bases (105), slugging percentage (.486) and on-base percentage (.425).

VAN WINKLE RETRUNS FROM INJURY, RESUMES CATCHING DUTIES: Tyson Van Winkle started 11 games as catcher last season for Gonzaga University before hurting his wrist in an injury that would force him to redshirt the 2007 campaign. Prior to his injury, Van Winkle appeared in 14 contests hitting at a .200 clip with nine hits, including a pair of doubles with two runs scored and five runs batted in.

FRESH YET OLD LOOK TO SHORTSTOP AND THIRD BASE: The left side of the Gonzaga University infield will a new, yet old look. Joining the Bulldogs this season is shortstop Jason Chatwood. Chatwood, a junior college transfer from Colby Community College, was a two-time All-Jayhawk Conference selection including a unanimous pick in 2007. Last season he was also a unanimous Regional Six infielder, a Gold Glove recipient and earned third-team All-America accolades. Moving to third base this season will be senior Bryan Winston. As a junior, Winston started 47 games in the outfield for GU posting a .324 average. Prior to joining the Zags, Winston was a two-year starter at second base for Spokane Falls Community College.

WAYT CONTINUES TO PATROL LEFT: Shawn Wayt, a 2007 unanimous All-West Coast Conference pick, will return to the Gonzaga University staring line up this season as he resumes his spot in leftfield. During his junior campaign, Wayt posted a .341 average in 38 appearances with 44 hits, including nine doubles, while driving in 22 runs. Earlier this season, Wayt was named to the Rivals.com All-WCC preseason team.

TRANSFERS JOIN OUTFIELD STAFF: Drew Heid and Marcus McKimmy will be new faces to the Gonzaga University outfield this season, as they both are transfers to the Bulldogs. Heid is expected to get the starting nod in centerfield after a solid season at Walla Walla Community College. Last year, as a freshman, Heid set a WWCC program record with 68 single-season hits. McKimmy joins the Zags from San Jose State University, where he was an All-Western Athletic Conference second team selection. Last year, as a junior, McKimmy hit .346 for the Spartans. Also fighting for time in the outfield will be Grant Kveder, a transfer from the College of Southern Idaho, where he was an All-American honorable mention honoree in 2007.

LONE FRESHMAN: Brett Nicholas is the lone freshman expected in the Gonzaga University line-up when the season starts. Nicholas, who is slated to be the Zags' designated hitter, comes to Spokane from Phoenix, Ariz. where he was a first team All-Desert Sky and All-Arizona Republic honoree at Pinnacle High.

FRESH FACES IN THE PEN: The Gonzaga University bullpen will be full of fresh faces in 2008, as the Zags return only three veterans to the bullpen staff. The relief corps will be anchored by returning All-West Coast Conference freshman team member Jeremy Stumetz, and juniors Chris Highmark and CJ McClure. New to the bullpen this season will be retuning redshirts Jason Hallerman and Andrew Danner, as well as freshman Jake and Kyle Adkins, Reedy Berg and Cody Martin.

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.

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.

TOUGH ROAD AHEAD: When Gonzaga University takes the field on Feb. 22 at Oklahoma State University, it will be embarking on one of the toughest schedules in the program's history. The Zags' will face five opponents who are ranked in the top-30. Gonzaga will open the season with a four-game series at No. 27 Oklahoma State, before traveling to the Johnny Quick/Pepsi Classic Mar. 10-15 where it will face No. 18 Fresno State University. The Bulldogs will then open West Coast Conference play with back-to-back three-game series against national ranked foes. The WCC slate will open Mar. 26-28 in Spokane against No. 29 Pepperdine University before the Zags travel to No. 7 University of San Diego on Apr. 4-6. Gonzaga will also face two-time defending national champion Oregon State University in a two-game midweek series at Patterson Baseball Complex and Washington Trust Field on Apr. 29-30.

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.

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.

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.

MORTENSEN EARNS ALL-AMERICA ACCOLADES: During the 2007 season, former Gonzaga University baseball hurler Clayton Mortensen was named Louisville Slugger Third Team All-America by Collegiate Baseball. Mortensen finished the season with a 9-2 record, a 3.92 earned run average and 122 strikeouts. His All-America selection was in sixth in Gonzaga history and the most recent since Nate Gold was awarded first team honors in 2002.

BULLDOG DUO SELECTED IN MLB DRAFT: A pair of athletes from the Gonzaga University baseball team were selected in the 2007 Major League Baseball amateur draft in June. Clayton Mortensen and Darin Holcomb both were selected during the two-day event. Mortensen was selected as the 36th overall draft pick in the compensation round by the St. Louis Cardinals, while Holcomb was taken in the 12th round by the Colorado Rockies. Holcomb, who was a junior in 2007 had one year of eligibility remaining but elected to turn pro. The pair became the 49th and 50th Zags to be drafted into the MLB and the sixth and seventh members to be drafted under the guidance of Mark Machtolf, who is entering his fifth year as head coach. During his 17-year tenure as a member of the Bulldogs' coaching staff, 18 Zags have been drafted.

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.

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 114-102 record for a .528 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.