Box Score MALIBU, Calif. — Gonzaga starter
Alek Jacob threw a no-hitter — the first for a Bulldog pitcher since 1990 and fifth all-time — and the Zags leaned on an explosive seven-run fourth inning for a 10-0 rout of Pepperdine in their West Coast Conference series opener Friday afternoon at Eddy D. Field in Malibu, Calif.
On 124 pitches, the 6'3 righty struck out a career-tying 12, finishing with a 61.3 strike percentage and only two walks while GU fielders collected 11 flyouts and four ground balls in an errorless nine frames to seal the deal.
Jacob's 12 strikeouts tie with
Mac Lardner's 2019 gem for the ninth-most in a single game in program history, a mark he matched as a freshman in 2018.
"A special performance today from Alek, a lot of fun to be a part of," said Head Coach
Mark Machtolf. "A lot of great contributions but Jacob and [Tyler] Rando deserve all the attention after that. Looking forward to getting back out there tomorrow. "
On offense,
Brett Harris paced the Bulldogs (21-12, 10-3 WCC) with a 2-for-3 outing that included two runs and an RBI.
Gabriel Hughes and
Ernie Yake both finished two hits and an RBI apiece as well, and four other Zags contributed a hit for a ten-hit effort that produced a double-digit lead late in the eighth.
A quick first three innings saw only one base hit — a single from Yake in the first at-bat of the game — while both starters were rolling. Jacob struck out two in the first and three in the second, but the Waves (11-12, 4-3) maintained defensive pressure behind an assertive start from RHP Trevor Hinkel (3.2 IP, two K, five hits) and a litany of momentum-killing fly outs.
But GU's hitters broke through with a four-hit fourth that yielded seven runs to turn a stalemate into something more lopsided. A cleanly-placed single from Harris and a walk from Rando gave way to two more base hits from
Mason Marenco and Gabe Hughes that scored them both. With the bases loaded, Sterling was walked to bring in run No. 3, and a deep drive from
Ernie Yake to left field, coupled with a disastrous throwing error, scored two more from
Jack Machtolf and Hughes.
With the bases loaded yet again and two outs on the board, RHP Dane Murrow took the mound in relief. But Morrow walked Rando to bring in a sixth run, and Orzel reached due to catcher's interference in the next at-bat for a seventh. A groundout from Marenco to second finally brought the inning to a close, but not before the Bulldogs had built a considerable advantage with their starter showing no signs of stopping.
While Jacob's no-hitter bid kept rolling, the Zags made subdued progress on offense but couldn't put up another run until the eighth, when Orzel and
Jack Machtolf drove in a combined three more with back-to-back RBI singles.
Harris was walked and Rando singled to get him to third in the top of the ninth, and Orzel was walked as well to load the bases for a sixth time — but Orzel was tagged out at second in the ensuing at-bat to keep GU off the board. In total, the Zags finished with 14 runners stranded on base to the Waves' three.
With Jacob returning to the mound for the final frame, Bulldogs fielders collected two fly outs to make it one more out to go to complete the no-hitter. A lineout from Reese Alexiades put the finishing touches on the historic effort.
Next Up
The Zags can clinch a series win against the Waves on Saturday, in the second of a three-game conference series. RHP
Gabriel Hughes (3-3, 47.2 IP, 54 K, 3.59 ERA) is GU's probable starter for that matchup, set to face Pepperdine RHP Cooper Chandler (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 4.0 IP, 4K).
Follow the Game
Saturday's game is set for a 1 p.m. start, with Sunday's matchup starting at 1p.m. Live streaming will be available via the WCC Network. Check GoZags.com for up-to-date game information and live stats.
