SEATTLE UNIVERSITY BASEBALL
Game Notes for February 20-21, 2010
Seattle University (0-0) at Washington State (0-0)
Bailey-Brayton Field - Pullman, Washington - 12:00 p.m. PST
PLAY BALL!: After 24 years without intercollegiate baseball at any level and 30 years after the last Division I season, Seattle University returns to the baseball diamond in 2010, beginning with a two-game series at Washington State. This is not the easiest way the team could have started the season, as the Cougars are coming off an appearance in the NCAA Tournament last year. After these two games, SeattleU opens the home schedule against Saint Martin's next Tuesday, Feb. 23, at Bannerwood Park in Bellevue beginning at 4 p.m., followed by 12 straight road games against Portland, Pacific, and Oregon.
A HIGHER CALLING: Head coach Donny Harrel and the Seattle University athletic administration have announced that this first season of the reborn SeattleU baseball program will be dedicated to the memory of Tim Gabutero, an alumnus of the team and university who died of liver and pancreatic cancer on July 15, 2008, at age 53. Gabutero grew up in the Rainier Vista housing project and was a three-sport star (football, basketball, and baseball) at Franklin High School. He earned the Most Inspirational Award at Bellevue Community College in 1975 before moving on to Seattle University and a brief career in the minor leagues. He became one of the top collegiate basketball officials, working primarily Pac-10 and West Coast Conference games, and was selected to work in several NCAA Tournament and NIT contests. The baseball team has joined with Gabutero's family to help raise money for the Tim Gabutero Memorial Scholarship Fund, beginning at the home opener on Tuesday against Saint Martin's.
PITCHING PROBABLES:
Saturday, Feb. 20: #21 Arlo Evasick (RHP, Jr., Chimacum, Wash.) vs. #4 Chad Arnold (RHP, Jr., Kennewick, Wash.)
Sunday, Feb. 21: #19 Conor Spink (LHP, Jr., Eagle River, Alaska) vs. #42 Davis Stilley (LHP, So., Silverdale, Wash.)
WEATHER (According to the Weather Channel):
Saturday, Feb. 20: Sunny, 44 degrees, Winds ENE 10-15 mph
Sunday, Feb. 21: Sunny, 44 degrees
SCOUTING WASHINGTON STATE: The Cougars are coming off a 32-25 season, including a 19-8 record in the Pac-10, good enough for second place and their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1990.