SPOKANE, Wash. — It wasn't the offensive fireworks that characterized the series opener, but Gonzaga got the runs it needed to clinch a West Coast Conference series win against BYU at Patterson Baseball Complex and Coach Steve Hertz Field on Friday night with a 2-1 victory in game two.


The Bulldogs (25-13, 13-4 WCC) held the Cougars (12-22, 6-8 WCC) to just one run for the second consecutive game for their fourth straight victory, picking up two runs early and withstanding multiple late threats to the lead despite a subdued hitting night.
 
BYU actually outhit GU six to five, but 10 BYU batters were stranded on base and GU fielders collected 17 flyouts and groundouts in the winning effort. Right-hander Gabriel Hughes threw five strikeouts over six innings for his fourth win and RHP Brody Jessee closed the game in dominant fashion to shut the door on a final-frame rally attempt and earn the save. 
 
Grayson Sterling provided three of those hits to lead the Zags, and Brett Harris and Tyler Rando both finished with a hit apiece to round out their offense. 
 
"Happy to get out of that game with a big win," said Head Coach Mark Machtolf. "I didn't think we played very efficiently on offense but we did enough. Hughes gave us a good start, and can't say enough about the outing from Jessee in relief. Ready to get back out there tomorrow."


The Action
 
Less than 24 hours after delivering a massive three-run homer in the Zags' 12-1 rout on Thursday night, Mason Marenco flew out in the second frame to score Tyler Rando, who doubled earlier in the inning for GU's first hit of the game.
 
The Bulldogs lineup kept rolling in the third, taking advantage of a series of defensive miscues that put four runners on base but ultimately only yielded one run, with two stranded. Grayson Sterling began the inning with a single and reached scoring position on a flyout, but was put out at home while Morrison reached on a fielder's choice. In the meantime, Yake was walked, reached second on an error, and capitalized on a wild pitch to make it a 2-0 ballgame.
 
Cole Gambill put the first run on the board for BYU in the next frame with a moonshot solo homer that exited left field, but Hughes struck out Ryan Sepede swinging and Brock Watkins lined out to keep GU in the lead. That run would turn out to be the extent of the Cougars' advance on offense on the night.


After two scoreless innings, RHP Brody Jessee entered the game in relief with the bases loaded and only one out on the board. But the 6'4 righty got the Zags out of a jam with two clutch strikeouts that turned a dangerous situation into another clean frame.


The Zags loaded the bases as well in the bottom of the frame — but just the same, the Cougars got out of the frame safely when Jack Machtolf was put out at home for the third out on a flyout from Yake.


Jessee's command of the strike zone only strengthened over the final two frames, throwing two more strikeouts without being tagged for a single hit. Needing three more outs in the ninth to close the game, Jessee struck Bitner Workman out swinging and Peyton Cole hit into a double play that sealed the game.
 
Inside the Series


With the win, Gonzaga is 24-20 against BYU all-time and 15-13 in conference games against the Cougars since they joined the WCC in 2012. Their last matchup before this spring was a non-conference neutral site loss in the Sanderson Ford Baseball Classic in Surprise, Ariz.
 
Next Up


The Zags have already secured a series win, but they can go for the sweep in game three on Saturday. Probable starters for both teams are to be determined.
 
Follow the Game


Saturday's matchup is set for a 6 p.m. first pitch and will be broadcast on SWX, with out-of-market streaming available via the WCC Network. Check GoZags.com for game day updates, live stats and more.