Box Score

SPOKANE, Wash.-With strong pitching and timely hitting, the Gonzaga University baseball team picked up its first shutout of Washington State in 13 years Tuesday night, beating the Cougars 8-0 at Patterson Baseball Complex & Washington Trust Field.

The Cougars saw the game's first scoring opportunity, loading the bases with just one down in the top of the second inning. After allowing a double and a single for runners on first and third, Gonzaga starter Justin Blatner hit Stefan Van Horn with a pitch to load the bases. He buckled down and got a fly ball from Shane Matheny, who few out to GU's Tyler Frost in shallow center field. WSU's Weston Hatten tagged up and tried to score from third base on the fly out, but Frost sent a strike into catcher Joey Harris, who then applied the tag for the inning-ending double play.

Gonzaga responded by taking the lead in the bottom of the frame. Frost led the frame off with a walk and second baseman Justin Jacobs followed up with a single. Shortstop Dustin Breshears then drew a walk to load the bases with no down. After a strikeout from Harris, designated hitter Jake Roberts ripped a double down the right field line to plate both Frost and Jacobs, giving Blatner a lead he wouldn't relinquish.

The redshirt freshman from Spokane pitched three more innings, scattering two more hits and retiring the side in the fifth. In his first start, Blatner struck out five batters while allowing just six Cougars to reach base. He earned the win, the first of his college career.

In the bottom of the fifth, Gonzaga blew the game open, scoring five runs on five hits and sending all nine men up to the plate. Washington State actually retired two of the first three Zag hits, with only Taylor Jones hitting a single to center. Two batters later, with two down, Justin Jacobs drew a walk and Breshears singled to load the bases. Harris hit a solid base knock into center field, scoring two, and Breshears came around on the next play on an infield single from Roberts and a throwing error by WSU shortstop Justin Harrer. Right fielder Jace VanDeBrake capped off the frame with a triple to center field, clearing the bases for two more runs.

Southpaw and sophomore Calvin LeBrun then came on in relief for Blatner and posted his second consecutive scoreless outing, allowing just one hit in three innings of work. The Phoenix native struck out six Cougar batters. The Zags picked up one more run in the sixth with a solo home run from Frost, and after a couple of scoreless innings, Sam Hellinger came in for the ninth inning, retiring the Cougs in order to cap off Gonzaga's 8-0 win.

Bulldog Bites:

• The shutout is Gonzaga's second of the year and second in the last four games after holding Pacific scoreless April 1 in Stockton, Calif. It's also Gonzaga's first shutout over their local rival since they beat Washington State 10-0 in 2003.
• With 12 more strikeouts on the night, Gonzaga's pitchers have combined to fan 51 batters after entering the Pacific series with 200 on the year. During that stretch, they've also combined to post a 1.66 ERA, holding opponents to seven earned runs - eight total - in 38.0 innings of work. On Tuesday, both Blatner and LeBrun posted career highs in strikeouts with five and six, respectively. Blatner also saw the longest outing of his young career. The Zag pitching staff entered the game second in the conference in strikeouts and first in strikeouts per nine innings.
• Both Roberts and VanDeBrake continued to enjoy their playing time. Roberts saw another multi-hit game, his third of the year, while bringing in two RBIs on a double and a single. He also drew a walk, reaching base in four of his five plate appearances. VanDeBrake, meanwhile, went 1-for-3 with his second triple of the year, bringing in a pair of runs. He also made a strong diving catch in right field during the eighth inning, retiring Cameron Frost in foul territory. Both are in their first year of playing time for Gonzaga as Roberts transferred in from Yakima Valley CC over the summer and VanDeBrake redshirted his true freshman season last year. They've both started the last four games and are both hitting at least .400 during that stretch.

Zag Speak:

Associate Head Coach Danny Evans:

• "After Blatner got the nerves out of the way a bit, he got into rhythm and did a good job. Obviously since this is his home town and this is a rivalry, there are some nerves there, but once he got past that he did an outstanding job. Calvin's last couple outings have been consistently outstanding, too. That's what we need going into the weekend: quality relief appearances."
• "Defensively we've been really solid all the way around, not only making routine plays but making big plays in big situations. Tonight, we weren't that offensive, but offensive at the right times…if we can do that and stick with our plan, while it may not go good early, we can continue to punch through late."

Senior catcher Joey Harris:

• "Justin Blatner has really good stuff. He's pitched out of the pen a couple times but he got it on tonight. Coach put a lot of trust in him, and he pitched a good game for us. Once he settled down and started throwing strikes, they couldn't hit him. And then Calvin comes in and dominates the zone, throwing all three pitches, and then Sam comes in and closes the door and does what he does best."

Next Up:

The Zags (17-10, 6-3 WCC) continue the longest homestand of the 2016 season with three conference games against fellow Pacific Northwest foe Portland this weekend. That series with the Pilots will begin at 6:05 p.m. on Friday, April 8, again at Patterson Baseball Complex & Washington Trust Field. That contest will be aired on local television by SWX and on the radio dial at 1510 AM.