LUBBOCK, Texas — Down 2-0 after four frames, it appeared that Texas Tech's explosive bats were on the verge of a rout in the first of their two-game stand at Jones AT&T Stadium. But Gonzaga RHP Alek Jacob didn't flinch, and neither did the Bulldogs' batters, as they outhit the Red Raiders 9-6 but ultimately withered late to fall 4-5.
Brett Harris led the Bulldogs on offense with a 3-for-5 night that included two doubles and a run, Tyler Rando hit a solo homer in the fifth and Jack Machtolf went 2-for-3 with another run as GU took a 3-2 lead in the seventh but gave back three more runs in a single play in the next frame.
The Zags had potential game-tying and game-winning runs on deck with the bases loaded and two outs at the bottom of the eighth after Harris got home on a walk, but TTU reliever Brendan Girton (1.2 IP, 4 K, 0 H, 0 R) struck out Ryan Sullivan to keep the Red Raiders ahead going into the ninth, and GU couldn't get a runner on base again, with Guthrie Morrison flying out to right field and Stephen Lund and Mason Marenco striking out swinging to close the game.
"Thought we did a good job of battling tonight but need to be more efficient in a few areas to win that game," said GU pitching coach Brandon Harmon. "Alek Jacob gave us a great outing, but we have to be better attacking the strike zone out of the pen. Looking forward to our response tomorrow. "
Throwing 11 strikeouts, Jacob largely kept an explosive Red Raiders offense within its means in a six-inning battle with RHP Micah Dallas, who finished with 4 K's and only one earned run off six hits. But a solo blast in the first frame from Jace Jung exited the park to put Tech up 1-0 early, and another RBI from Dylan Neuse in the third doubled the deficit.
But the Zags weren't down and out just yet — they were just getting started. Rando's solo homer in the fifth changed the complexion of the game, and Jack Machtolf and Kanta Kobayashi both picked up runs off a throwing error to take GU's first lead of the game for GU two frames later.
But the closing stretch was problematic as Texas Tech's hitters continued to put pressure on GU's bullpen. Nico Zeglin was first reliever out of the pen for GU, but walked two before Bradley Mullan came in to replace him. Mullan (1 R, 1 BB, 1 K) struck Jung out looking in his first AB, but a wild pitch and another walk loaded the bases and Mullan was replaced by Daniel Naughton for the remainder of the game (1.1P).
Naughton gave up a double from N Rombach that produced the game-winning runs for the Red Raiders, but struck out one more and didn't give up a run in the eighth to give the Zags one more chance at a run.
Inside the Series
Before today, Texas Tech and Gonzaga hadn't played since the Zags traveled to Lubbock and split a two-game stand in 2010. With the win, the Red Raiders hold a 3-1 lead in the series all-time.
Next Up
The Zags will get a chance to split the series with Texas Tech at 11 a.m. Wednesday before they turn their attention to three games with TCU this weekend. Reagan Haas is the Zags' probable starter, expected to face off vs. RHP Chase Hampton (1-1, 5.40 ERA, 8.0 IP, 5 K).
Follow the Game
Up-to-date game time information is available on GoZags.com, and live streaming will be available via BIG 12 NOW on the ESPN+ app for all five games on this week's slate. Check ESPN+'s streaming schedule for up-to-the-minute info on start times and broadcasting.
