PORTLAND, Ore. — If No. 22 Gonzaga's dominance in its West Coast Conference series opener with Portland on Friday night left any room for doubt about the Zags' ability to bounce back from a two-week COVID pause, it evaporated in the beginning of a series-clinching 6-3 win at Joe Etzel Field on Saturday.
After putting up five runs in the first three frames, including a massive three-run slam from
Mason Marenco, the Bulldogs (29-13, 16-4 WCC) held Portland's lineup to a total of four hits to close out their eighth-straight win and sixth-straight series victory this season. Only three other teams in Division I have an active streak of more than eight wins.
In his first start since April 11 against Saint Mary's, RHP
William Kempner struck out three in four frames on the mound, holding the Pilots (22-23, 13-10) to three hits but yielding three earned runs. RHP
Michael Spellacy took over in the fifth and shut down Portland's batters, striking out six more over the rest of the game and only allowing one hit in that span.
GU finished with seven hits, with
Jack Machtolf (one RBI) and
Tyler Rando (three runs) picking up two apiece to lead the lineup. Marenco (one run, four RBI),
Andrew Orzel (two runs) and
Grayson Sterling (one RBI) all added in a hit each in the winning effort.
"Great way to secure a series win today," said Head Coach
Mark Machtolf. "Spellacy was outstanding out of the pen, huge outing. Offensively we did a great job of coming out early and getting that early lead."
The Action
Orzel and Rando were walked in succession by Portland starter Bradley McVay with one out in the first frame, and Marenco came through with a massive slam in the next at-bat to bring all three of them home and immediately put the Pilots in a 3-0 hole. The Zags put two more on the board in the third — Marenco hit a sac fly that scored Orzel again, and a single up the middle from Sterling yielded another run from Rando.
Hunter Montgomery and Briley Knight both hit homers in the third and fourth, respectively, to bring in three runs, but those three runs would be the extent of Portland's offensive progress for the rest of the game as Kempner and Spellacy gained command.
With the Bulldogs mired in a four-frame scoring drought in the top of the seventh,
Jack Machtolf connected on an RBI triple that scored Rando for the third time to make it a three-run game.
Spellacy struck out the side in the ninth to cap off three straight frames without a hit from the Pilots' lineup and complete the win without much anxiety.
Inside the Series
With the win, Gonzaga leads the series 57-14 since 2000. The Zags won an earlier non-conference matchup against Portland in March, dropping the first game 2-0 before winning two straight to clinch the series. Before dropping the 2-0 decision on March 5, GU had strung together 12-straight wins over the Pilots dating back to 2016, and are now winners of four straight against them.
Next Up
With the series win in hand, GU has a chance to complete its second WCC series sweep in a row in game three on Sunday. Probable starters on the mound are to be determined for both teams.
Follow the Game
Sunday's series finale is set for a noon first pitch. Live streaming will be available via the WCC Network. Check GoZags.com for up-to-date game day information, live stats and more.
