Gonzaga University
Washington
BASE Falls Due to Big Inning by Washington
3/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Box Score | Highlights
SPOKANE, Wash.—The Gonzaga University baseball squad held Washington scoreless in eight of the nine innings Tuesday night at Patterson Baseball Complex & Washington Trust Field, but the Huskies' seven runs in the fourth inning doomed the Bulldogs as they fell 7-3 in game one of the brief two-game series between the in-state rivals.
The Zags took a quick lead, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Third baseman Mitchell Gunsolus started the frame by getting plunked by the first pitch from UW starter Henry Baker. Second baseman Jeff Bohling also reached base by drawing a walk. UW head coach Lindsey Meggs went to his bullpen after the base on balls, but Sam Brown welcomed new Husky pitcher Alex Nesbitt to the game by drawing another walk. Two batters later, right fielder Justin Jacobs hit into a fielder's choice, scoring Gunsolus for an RBI. Bohling also came around to score on the play after UW shortstop Chris Baker threw the ball out of reach of the Husky first baseman in an attempt to get Jacobs out at first.
Gonzaga picked up another run in the third, scoring once with two outs. Bohling hit a one-out double down the left field line and moved over to third when Brown grounded out to first base. The sophomore scored when catcher Jimmy Sinatro reached base via another UW error.
Making his first career start, GU pitcher Hunter Wells pitched effectively through the first three innings, fanning three batters while letting only three reach base. Washington got to Wells in the fourth inning, however, scoring four runs on five hits before chasing him from the game. Lefty Calvin LeBrun came on in relief for the sophomore hurler and gave up a double to the first batter he faced, Will Sparks. Sparks cleared the bases of any batters Wells was responsible for and then came around to score himself in the next at bat. In all, Washington scored seven runs on seven hits and two costly GU errors.
After the fourth inning, the Zags settled down defensively, allowing just one hit and three total baserunners from the fifth inning on. They themselves saw chances to chip away the Huskies' lead but didn't convert. In the seventh inning, the Zags put runners on the corners with one out after Dustin Breshears drew a walk and Gunsolus singled down the right field line. The next two Bulldog batters struck out, however, stranding the two GU runners on base. In the eighth inning, GU also stranded two base runners, and the game ended 7-3 in favor of the team from the west of the Cascade Mountains.
Bulldog Bites
- Bohling continued his strong performance with the bat, going 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored. The sophomore is working on a five-game hit streak in which he's posted multiple hits four times and hit .450 (9x20) with four runs scored and four walks. He also flashed the leather a bit at second base, going long distance to rob Levi Jordan of a base hit in the ninth inning.
- Gonzaga's three relief pitchers combined to turn in a decent performance, giving up three hits and one team unearned run (unearned to the team, earned to LeBrun) in 5.1 innings of work. LeBrun worked 3.1 innings with two strikeouts in his first ever relief appearances, and both Brandon Bailey and David Bigelow pitched 1.0 inning of shutout ball, striking out one batter each.
- Three of Wells' six runs allowed in the fourth inning were earned, the first earned runs he's given up all season. In 15.1 innings pitched, the right hander has just a 1.76 ERA and eight hits allowed compared to his bullpen-leading 17 strikeouts. Even after allowing seven runs Tuesday, opponents are hitting just .154 off him.
Zag Speak - Thoughts on the game from the Bulldogs themselves
Jeff Bohling on UW's relievers
"They were throwing the right pitches in the right spots. Off-speed and two-strike counts, and we were chasing them."
Hunter Wells on his start overall
"I threw ok. Towards the end I didn't locate very well, but it's completely a team effort. I can't blame myself, I can't blame anyone else, it's just baseball."
Next Up
Gonzaga (11-13) and the Huskies wrap up the brief two-game series Wednesday, March 25, again at Patterson Baseball Complex & Washington Trust Field. First pitch for that contest is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Neither team has announced a starter.
