SPOKANE, Wash. — Gonzaga sealed a non-conference series win over Portland on Sunday at Patterson Baseball Complex and Coach Steve Hertz Field with its most dynamic offensive showing of the weekend — building off an explosive first inning and maintaining pressure throughout with a seven-strikeout showing from starting RHP Alec Gomez and a Zags bullpen that kept the Pilots (3-6) scoreless until the final inning for a 8-1 victory.
 
With rainy morning conditions giving way to sunlight for much of the game, GU found success with a first-time starter for the second day in a row after William Kempner's eight-frame gem on Saturday — Gomez struck out three and gave up only two hits in six innings of work, and the Pilots didn't reach third base once while he was on the mound.
 
"Happy with a series win," said GU Head Coach Mark Machtolf. "A good response after a disappointing Friday night. Another outstanding starting effort on the mound from Gomez, and a lot of good offensive performances. Now we quickly shift our focus to Texas Tech on Tuesday."
 
Two hit-filled, run-scoring first and sixth frames from the Bulldogs (6-5) were enough to keep the game firmly out of reach for Portland. Brett Harris drove in multiple runs in both.
 
The Zags got through their entire hitting rotation in the first inning, hitting Portland starter Brett Gillis (0.2 IP, four hits, four ER) out of the game with a five-run frame. Harris got it started for GU with a blast to center field that drove in runs from Stephen Lund and Guthrie Morrison, and Harris, Andrew Orzel and Jack Machtolf added three more off back-to-back sacrifice flies and a base hit from Tyler Rando.
 
Caleb Franzen replaced Gillis before the inning was over, holding GU scoreless for two more innings and stranding four runners on base in the process. But Harris clubbed in another two-RBI double just over the foul line in the fourth for two more runs and then reached home off a wild pitch to put the Bulldogs up 8-0.
 
Harris finished with game-high hits, going 3-for-5 with two runs and four RBI. Mason Marenco went 3-for-4 with a double and a stolen base, and Morrison and Lund finished with a hit and two runs apiece.  
 
Once Gomez's time was up, the Zags turned to relief by committee. RHP Bradley Mullan kept the defensive rhythm going with three strikeouts in the sixth — not allowing a single hit — and RHP Daniel Naughton followed up with another three quick outs in the seventh. Trystan Vrieling closed the game with a walk, a flyout from Tracye Tammaro that generated Portland's sole run and a strikeout to complete the win.
 
Inside the series
GU leads the all-time series 52-14. Portland's win on Friday snapped a 12-game losing streak against the Bulldogs, but GU has never lost more than two games in a season to the Pilots. With the non-conference series complete, both teams will square off three more times in a series in May that will affect the 27-game WCC pennant race.
 
Next Up
GU hits the road again on Tuesday, heading down to Lubbock, Texas for a two-game stand with its highest-profile opponent yet in No. 10 Texas Tech. The Red Raiders (7-3) have won seven-straight after dropping their first three games to three different top-ten opponents.
 
Follow the Game
Up-to-date game time information is available on GoZags.com, and free live streaming will be available via Texas Tech. The game is set to begin at 4:30 p.m. PST on Tuesday.
 
Notes
-Tyler Rando and Stephen Lund swapped positions for Sunday's game, with Rando filling in as DH and Lund making his first start behind home plate in 2021. 
-In three matchups this weekend, GU held Portland to an average of 1.33 runs per game.
-Harris is still No. 1 nationally in HBP, despite not getting hit with a pitch once in the last three games.
-GU is tied for 13th nationally in walks.
-Gabriel Hughes put out seven UP runners on first base, a team high.