Box Score

SPOKANE, Wash.--The Gonzaga University baseball team completed its abbreviated 2016 home schedule Sunday, dropping a 6-0 decision to Santa Clara at Patterson Baseball Complex & Washington Trust Field.

Santa Clara took a lead in the second inning after Ryan Budnick curved a home run just around the foul pole in left field. In the next inning, the Broncos scored three more for a 4-0 lead, two of which were unearned. After they loaded the bases with two singles and a walk from Gonzaga starter Gage Burland, a run came on an error from second baseman Justin Jacobs, one on a passed ball, and one on a sacrifice fly.

The Zags had plenty of scoring opportunities throughout the game, but the Broncos got through those unscathed. In the first, Jeff Bohling ripped a one-out single through the left side to give Taylor Jones a base runner. The senior first baseman smashed a liner to third, but Santa Clara third baseman Kyle Cortopassi caught the sharply-hit ball and threw out Bohling at first, who was running full speed to second. In the second, Gonzaga loaded the bases with a pair of singles to lead off the frame and a two-out walk. Right fielder Jace VanDeBrake struck out swinging, however, to end the inning.

In the eighth inning, Santa Clara starter Jason Seever left the game in favor of reliever Max Kuhns. After a fly ball from Jones for the first out, Tyler Frost ripped a double down the left field line and Jacobs drew a walk to give the Zags a pair of base runners. The rally was halted as the next two batters made outs.

Santa Clara added runs in the seventh and ninth innings, scoring on a wild pitch in the seventh and a fielding error from left fielder Sam Brown in the ninth to bring the score to its 6-0 final.

Bulldog Bites:

• Despite the loss, the Zags wrap up their most successful home season in the 10-year history of Patterson Baseball Complex & Washington Trust field. The Zags went 8-2 (.800) at home this year, their highest win percentage in the facility.
• The Zags (12-6 WCC) are still in first place in the conference after the loss. They lead both BYU and Saint Mary's by two games in the win column and trail both by one in the loss column; all three teams are even with a .667 conference winning percentage.
• Gonzaga entered the day three games ahead of fourth place. Gonzaga has won four of its six WCC series so far this year, sweeping Pacific and Portland while taking two from Pepperdine and Santa Clara.
• Prior to the game, the Zags honored four seniors for their hard work and dedication to Gonzaga baseball. Jones, Dustin Breshears, Joey Harris, and Jimmy Sinatro all saw the final collegiate home game of their career. Breshears, Harris, and Jones started the game while Sinatro came in as a pinch hitter in the ninth.

Next Up:

The Zags (24-13 overall) begin an 11-game road trip to end the regular season with a big West Coast Conference series next weekend. The first-place Bulldogs will travel to Provo, Utah, for three games against BYU, who is tied for second place in the conference. That series will begin on Thursday, April 28.