March 8, 2008

Box Score

Stockton, Calif. - Senior John Joines (Milpitas, Calif.) blasted a solo home run and drove in two runs in the Tigers' 11-5 loss to Gonzaga on Saturday, Mar. 8.

The loss dropped the Tigers to 2-9 on the season, while Gonzaga evened its record at 5-5.

Both teams put early runs on the board as the first four Gonzaga batters singled, helping the Zags take a 3-0 lead. Pacific answered with two runs in the bottom of the first when junior Joe Oliveira (San Diego, Calif.) and senior Adam Ching (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) served up back-to-back singles. Oliveira took third on Ching's single, allowing Ching to move to second on the throw to third. An RBI ground out from junior Mike McKeever (San Diego, Calif.) brought in Oliveira, then senior Jason Haar (San Diego, Calif.) singled to right-center to plate Ching.

Gonzaga added single runs in the second and fourth innings, on a home run from Jason Chatwood and an RBI ground out by Evan Wells.

The Zags added four more runs in the top of the seventh on three hits and two Pacific errors to take a 9-2 lead.

Pacific got single runs in each of the final three innings, including a solo home run from Joines in the seventh and a bases loaded walk to Joines. However the Tigers missed a chance to get back into the game in the eighth, leaving the bases loaded down 9-4.

Gonzaga added two more runs in the ninth, while Pacific pushed across a run on an RBI double from freshman Nick Longmire (San Diego, Calif.) to make the final score, 11-5.

Matt Fields (1-1) earned the victory, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks in seven innings.

Pacific freshman Tyler Waldron (Pilot Hill, Calif.) suffered the loss (0-2) giving up eight runs (seven earned) on 13 hits.

Joines led Pacific offensively with a 2-for-2 performance, collecting two RBI and scoring one run.

Pacific and Gonzaga play the series finale on Sunday, Mar. 9 at 1 p.m. in Klein Family Field.