Box Score FORT WORTH, Texas — TCU's fielders put up a stout performance to bolster a dominant day on the mound from LHP Russell Smith and broke out with a five-run eighth inning Saturday to even its three-game series with Gonzaga with a 7-1 win.
 
Smith (3-0) navigated a Bulldogs lineup that produced 13 runs the night prior for five scoreless innings, earning the win with four strikes and no walks despite giving up GU's sole run. Zag hitters grounded or flew out 14 times in total off pitches from Smith, picking up five of their total of seven hits.

"Good battle today that we let get away from us in that 8th inning," said Head Coach Mark Machtolf. "This is a game we need to learn from and have a short memory. Big time chance to go win a series on the road tomorrow."
 
Stephen Lund and Brett Harris both went 2-for-4 to pace a Bulldogs offense that finished with seven hits in total. Andrew Orzel added two hits of his own and the Zags' sole RBI.

GU RHP William Kempner (1-1) went three innings in his second start, throwing four strikeouts and a hitless second but giving up two runs on three hits — both runs off a Zach Humphreys drive to left field in the bottom of the first that gave TCU a lead it would hold for the remainder of the game.

The Bulldogs found some traction in the sixth when Harris smacked a double to right field and Jack Machtolf singled to get him to third. Orzel sent him home with another single for the Zags' first run before Smith struck out Grayson Sterling to close the inning.
 
RHP Michael Spellacy immediately provided stability on the mound in relief; he retired three batters in order for a relatively stress-free fourth, and then held TCU scoreless in the fifth and sixth. Spellacy only allowed one hit — a single to center field from Brayden Taylor — but picked Taylor off at first base for an out, proceeding to retire two more batters for another clean frame. RHP Nico Zeglin came in to close the game, striking out two more over the remaining three innings.

But TCU's bats came alive in an eighth inning that included two deep drives right down the foul line from Phillip Sikes and Gray Rodgers that yielded three runs and a single from Tommy Sacco that brought in two more to extend the Horned Frogs' lead to 7-1. 
 
With one frame left to make up the difference and the deficit suddenly significantly more difficult to overcome, Orzel doubled to the left field line to get on base, but Jack Machtolf and Sterling grounded out and Tyler Stone flew out to end the game before the Zags could put a dent in the lead.
 
Inside the Series

With this weekend's series tied at 1-1, TCU leads the all-time series between the two schools 4-2, with every game being played at Lupton Stadium in Fort Worth.
 
Next Up

Either the Bulldogs or Horned Frogs can clinch a series win in the rubber match on Sunday, featuring Gonzaga RHP Alec Gomez (2-0, 11 IP, 7 strikeouts, 3.27 ERA) vs. TCU LHP Austin Krob (1-0, 10 IP, 10 strikeouts, 1.80 ERA).
 
Follow the Game
 
The series finale will be available to stream on ESPN+ via Big 12 Now, beginning at 11 a.m. PST Sunday. Times are subject to change — check GoZags.com for up-to-date times and gameday information.