MORAGA, Calif. — No. 12 Gonzaga baseball's patience approach at the plate came through late with three runs over the seventh and eighth frames for a series-clinching 4-2 win in its Sunday finale with Saint Mary's at Guisto Field.
The series win is the Bulldogs' (26-11, 13-5) sixth-straight, comprising the best 18-game start to WCC play in program history and the first time they've won each of their first six conference weekend series.
RHP Owen Wild held the Gaels (22-18, 6-12) to just four hits over six frames on the mound en route to his xxth win of the season, striking out six without any walks. RHP Brody Jessee threw two scoreless frames with three K's to preserve the Zags' lead, and RHP Michael Spellacy slammed the door on the Gaels in the final frame, striking out the side to earn his eighth save of the season and move up to seventh all-time in single-season and career (11) saves. Spellacy now moves up to a tie for 11th-most saves in the nation.
Tyler Rando led the Bulldogs' offense with a pair of hits and two runs, and Shea Kramer finished with a team-high two RBI and a run to lead four other GU batters who got at least a knock apiece.
The Action
The Zags opened the scoring for the third game in a row off a pair of two-out, two-strike singles from Rando and Cade McGee that produced a run — the 1-0 lead would hold until the fifth, when an RBI double from Blake Mann and a sac fly plated two runs to give SMC the lead.
GU didn't find a response until the top of the seventh, when Savier Pinales drew a walk and stole second to set up a tying RBI from Kramer, who singled to center with one out on the board. Enzo Apodaca connected on a sac fly of his own to retake the lead for good.
Entering for Wild in the bottom of that frame, Jessee worked around a one-out single while keeping the Gaels off the board in the seventh, repeating the feat in the eighth after Kramer's two-out sac fly with the bases loaded added an insurance run. Spellacy's three straight K's ended the game with the Zags' two-run cushion — and series victory — intact.
Up Next
The Zags head to Pullman, Wash. on Tuesday for a midweek matchup with in-state rival Washington State, scheduled for a 5:35 p.m. start time. Starters are still to-be-determined. Live stats and streaming options are available on GoZags.com — follow @zagbaseball on Instagram and Twitter for live updates, highlights and more.
