Box Score

PULLMAN, Wash.--The Gonzaga University baseball team clinched a series win against local rival Washington State Tuesday, beating the Cougars 7-4 at Bailey-Brayton Field in Pullman, Wash.

The Zags saw the game's first scoring chance after a pair of throwing errors from WSU shortstop Jack Strunc in the top of the first, but Washington State scored the game's first run, plating one in the bottom of the frame. WSU scored once more in the third, chasing GU starter Justin Blatner from the game after three hits and a sacrifice fly from the inning's first four batters. With two on, junior Hunter Wells came on and walked the first batter he faced, but he forced Cameron Frost into a double play to get out of the inning.

Gonzaga drew even with two runs in the fourth. First baseman Taylor Jones led the frame off with a single through the right side and moved to third on a walk and ground ball. Designated hitter Joey Harris drove the senior in with a single through the left side off WSU reliever Colby Nealy. After Harris' at bat, left fielder Nick Brooks reached after getting hit with a pitch and right fielder Jace VanDeBrake drew a walk to load the bases. Catcher Jake Roberts then drove a two-out ball through the left side, plating Harris, but Brooks was thrown out attempting to score from second to end the inning.

Washington State scored once more in the fifth to re-take the lead, but the Zags again immediately countered for three in the sixth. After Harris led off with a single, Brooks sent a 1-2 pitch from Ryley Widell over the right field fence for his first home run of the year. With one out, GU then put runners on the corners, and Roberts scored the Zags' third run when Jeff Bohling hit a sacrifice fly to center field.

In the seventh, Gonzaga plated two more, both coming with two out. Breshears drew a one-out walk to take first, and he scored a couple of batters later when VanDeBrake ripped a triple to right field. The redshirt freshman then came home on a wild pitch from Parker McFadden.

The home team pulled one back in the eighth, but junior Wyatt Mills came on in the ninth to close out the game. With his 2.2 innings pitched once entering during the third, Wells earned the win, his second of the year. Mills picked up the save, his second of the year; his first came three days ago on April 16 at San Francisco.

Bulldog Bites:

• With the win, Gonzaga clinches the season series against Washington State after they beat the Cougars 8-0 in Spokane April 5. The Zags have not lost a season series to Washington State since 2011 and are 10-3 over their local rivals during that time. The two clubs will square off once more this year: May 17 in Pasco, Wash.
• Three Bulldogs saw multi-hit games Tuesday night as Jones, Jacobs, and Harris each posted two base knocks. Jones hit a pair of singles for his 17^th multi-hit game of the year; Jacobs' two singles were his 12^th; while Harris singled twice for his seventh. Jacobs found himself on base four times Tuesday night, drawing two walks as well, and Harris reached three times after getting plunked in the eighth. In all, seven of Gonzaga's starters posted at least one hit on the night.
• The Zags added two extra-base hits - VanDeBrake's triple and Brooks' home run - to their already lofty tally, ending the game with 117. VanDeBrake is now third on the team with three triples on the year, and Brooks is the eighth Bulldog to homer this season. The Zags entered the game with the second-highest slugging percentage in the WCC.
• Redshirt freshman Daniel Bies saw his first appearance in more than a month, pitching a scoreless sixth inning. He struck out one, walked a batter, and gave up two hits, but he also benefited from Roberts catching a runner attempting to steal second before getting Stemp to ground into an inning-ending fielder's choice. Gage Burland and Sam Hellinger also saw time on the mound Tuesday night. In all, Gonzaga used six pitchers on the night while the Cougars used seven.

Mac Talk: Thoughts from Gonzaga head coach Mark Machtolf:

• "It was nice to get some of the guys who hadn't had some opportunities some work, and as a whole they did a great job. We also got some big hits with guys in scoring position, and that was good to see."
• "This group has battled before, they battle. They recognize that Washington State, these games are huge for us and they do a good job of staying with it."

Next Up:

The Bulldogs (22-12, 10-5 WCC) resume West Coast Conference play while starting their final home series of year. Santa Clara will be in town for that three-game set, the first of which will begin at 6:00 p.m. Friday, April 22, at Patterson Baseball Complex & Washington Trust Field.