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Oct. 19, 2008

Box Score

2008 Pizza Bowl Series Stats (PDF)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Junior Chris Dominguez was 3-for-5 with two RBI, while sophomore Tyler Mathis allowed only two hits over 5 2/3 innings to lead Xan's Zephyrs to 4-2 win over Jimmy's Jets in the finale of the 2008 Pizza Bowl intra-squad series on Sunday at Jim Patterson Stadium.

Despite Sunday's loss, the Jets won the best-of-three series 2-1 with an 11-4 win on Friday and a 2-1 triumph on Saturday. Senior catcher Kyle Cheesebrough and sophomore outfielder Josh Richmond were named co-Most Valuable Players for the Jets as each were 5-of-13 (.385) from the plate over the three days. Richmond had a .615 slugging percentage and three RBI, while Cheesebrough had a pair of RBI and a .462 slugging percentage.

In Sunday's finale, the Zephyrs struck first after Andrew Clark drew a two-out walk in the first and Chris Dominguez ripped a double into the left field corner to put his team on top 1-0.

Jimmy's Jets answered in the bottom of the frame to even the game at one. Shortstop John Dao singled up the middle to open the inning and Adam Duvall laid down a sac bunt that was fielded cleanly by Dominguez, but the throw to first was wild, allowing the runners to advance to second and third. Cheesebrough then grounded out to second to push across the tying run for the Jets.

In the Zephyr half of the third, Ryan Wright was hit by a pitch and stole second ahead of an RBI single up the middle by Clark with two outs. Clark's single into center made it 2-1, and after Clark stole second, Dominguez followed with his second hit and RBI on the afternoon to up the advantage to 3-1 Zephyrs.

Jeff Arnold tripled to right center off Jets' starter Matt Lea to open the fourth inning and Alec Lowrey followed with a sac fly to right that made it 4-1 Zephyrs. Lea took the loss on Sunday after giving up four earned runs on four hits while striking out four. Mathis earned the win for the Zephyrs allowing only one unearned run while striking out five.

After two scoreless innings, the Jets cut the margin to 4-2 in the home half of the seventh as Josh Richmond, who reached base on a double and then stole third, scored on a single by Cheesebrough.

Freshman Tony Zych pitched the final two innings for the Zehpyrs allowing only one hit and striking out three to earn the save and close the door on the Jets. For the series, which closes the Cards' fall workouts, Thomas Royce pitched in two of three games for the Jets allowing no hits and no runs in three innings of work, while Gavin Logsdon and Neil Holland also appeared in two games without allowing any hits or runs.

For the Zephyrs, Clark led the way with a .444 average and a .643 on-base percentage over the three games, while Dominguez was 4-of-11 (.364) with three RBI and a .545 slugging percentage.

"I thought we did an excellent job on the mound and for the most part, the pitchers really attacked the strike zone and did a nice job of controlling the game," said Cards' head coach Dan McDonnell. "Defensively, we were just okay. We botched some bunt defensive plays and that's frustrating as a coach because you're just giving runs away when a team is trying to give you an out, so that'll a point of emphasis in spring training. Offensively, I thought we were fine. We competed and we scored some runs when we had opportunities. But without a doubt, the highlight of the Pizza Bowl goes to the pitchers."

Louisville will open the 2009 season with a three-game series at SEC foe Florida on Feb. 20-22 in Gainesville, while the home opener is set for Feb. 25 against Eastern Kentucky at Jim Patterson Stadium. The complete 2009 Cards' schedule will be released next week.