SURPRISE, Ariz. — Gonzaga baseball got an early home run from Ryan Sullivan, but couldn't keep pace with Oregon State's offense in a 9-3 loss at the Collegiate Baseball Classic in Surprise, Arizona.
 
Sullivan's homer, the first of his Zag career, came as a solo shot in the second inning and put GU out to a 1-0 lead, but three Beaver runs in the fourth and three more in the sixth gave OSU a lead.
 
"We didn't play well on defense today and they took advantage of our miscues," head coach Mark Machtolf said. "I thought Alek Jacob gave us a chance to win today with his effort, and our offense put together some good at-bats against a really good arm with not a lot to show for it. We are looking for to putting together a more complete performance tomorrow against New Mexico."
 
GU starter Alek Jacob collected six strikeouts in 6.0 innings pitched, but two big innings pushed his line to six runs (five earned) on seven hits. On offense, Gonzaga managed just two hits, Sullivan's homer and a two-RBI double from pinch hitter Slade Heggen in the ninth.
 
Gonzaga put the ball in play throughout the day, only striking out three times altogether, but couldn't string together a big inning.
 
Down 9-1 in the ninth, Heggen was able to drive home Ernie Yake and Carson Breshears on a double to left center for his first hit of the year.
 
Gonzaga continues play at the Collegiate Baseball Classic on Sunday against New Mexico at 4 p.m. PT/5 p.m. MT in Surprise, Arizona. Live stats are available at GoZags.com.