Box Score
LOS ANGELES—Despite cutting the deficit in half with two runs in the sixth inning, the Gonzaga University baseball squad fell 4-2 to Loyola Marymount in the series finale Sunday afternoon at Page Stadium in Los Angeles.
The Lions scored all four of their runs between innings three and five, plating one each in the third and fourth innings and getting two in the fifth. Those four scores came from four different batters, the first an RBI single in the third from David Fletcher. In the fourth inning, The Lions got an unearned run after David Edwards reached base on a single and advanced to second on a throwing error by pitcher Hunter Wells during a pickoff move. Edwards scored later on a single from Ted Boeke, the Lions' only other hit of the frame.
LMU plated two runs in the fifth inning, getting both off reliever Calvin LeBrun. Leadoff hitter Cassidy Brown scored after opening the half-inning with a single, touching home after a single from Edwards. After the RBI base knock, Eli Morgan replaced LeBrun on the mound, but one more run charged to LeBrun came around when Jamey Smart reached on a fielder's choice.
Gonzaga cut its deficit in half with two runs in the top of the sixth inning. The Zags picked up a leadoff runner when Cory LeBrun doubled down the left field line on the first pitch he saw. The designated hitter moved up 90 feet on a flyout from Justin Jacobs, and he scored on a single from left fielder Tyler Frost one batter later. Frost then came around to score in the next at bat, advancing home all the way from first base after Joey Harris reached base on an LMU throwing error.
The Zags had a chance of cutting into the LMU lead even further in the seventh inning. Brown once again reached base as the leadoff hitter, taking second on a double down the left field line. Next, Jeff Bohling joined him on base with a walk. Two batters later, Cory LeBrun moved the two up with a groundout to first base, but Justin Jacobs ended the threat by grounding out to first base. The Bulldogs then went down in order in both the eighth and ninth innings, ending the game at 4-2 in favor of Loyola Marymount.
With the loss, Gonzaga lost the series two games to one. The lone Bulldog victory was an 8-2 win which came during game two of the three-game set.
Bulldog Bites
- Since moving up to the leadoff spot at the beginning of the LMU series, Brown's bat has been on fire. He's hit .667 (8x12) in the last three days, picking up four RBIs on two doubles while scoring two runs of his own. He's also drawn two walks and was hit by a pitch, good for an on-base percentage of .733. Throughout the course of the season, Brown has reached base 11 of 19 times as the Zags' leadoff batter, tied for the best mark on the team of those with more than three such attempts.
- Both GU runs came against the LMU bullpen today as the Lions' starter Sean Watkins pitched 5.0 innings of scoreless ball. Gonzaga got to reliever Cory Abbott immediately, however, as Abbott first entered the game to begin the sixth inning. Over the course of the season, Gonzaga has hit .291 and scored 65 runs off opposing relievers.
- With 3.1 scoreless innings in relief, Morgan hasn't allowed a run in each of his last four outings, dating back to March 14 versus San Francisco. He's gone 6.2 innings during that stretch, allowing just six hits and two walks while striking out six batters. The scoreless inning streak has lowered his ERA from 3.86 to 2.61.
- After ripping a double in the sixth inning, Cory LeBrun extended his hit streak to 11 games, having hit safely in every contest since March 11. The senior is hitting .375 (15x40) during the stretch with six runs scored, four RBIs, and four doubles.
- With a single in the eighth inning, Taylor Jones now has a hit in all five conference games he's started. Despite only playing in six games against WCC foes, the junior from Kent, Wash., leads the Zags with a .524 batting average and .619 slugging percentage in conference play. He also has five RBIs and two extra-base hits in conference action, among the team's top five marks in the categories.
Mac Talk - Thoughts from Gonzaga head coach Mark Machtolf
On Sam Brown's performance on top of the lineup
"Sam's doing a good job leading off for us. He's getting pitches to hit and making quality contact on those pitches."
On Wells and the pitching staff today
"Wells did an okay job today. He got a little tired so we decided to go to the bullpen after the fourth. On the mound overall, we're limiting the runs we're giving up and keeping the game close."
Next Up
Gonzaga (12-15, 3-6 WCC) will return home for a non-conference match against local rival Washington State. The game against the Cougars will take place Tuesday, March 31, with a 6:05 p.m. first pitch. The game will also be broadcast locally on SWX.
