Pepperdine Hangs on for 10-8 Win Despite Gonzaga’s Ninth Inning Rally

Friday, May 17

Spokane, Wash.

6 p.m.

Gonzaga University

19-29, 14-9

Pepperdine

14-37, 8-15

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Pepperdine	0	0	1	4	1	1	0	2	1	10	12	1
Gonzaga	2	2	0	2	0	0	0	1	1	8	12	0

Pepperdine Hangs on for 10-8 Win Despite Gonzaga’s Ninth Inning Rally

5/17/2024 9:53:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score

SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga baseball came up just short in their ninth inning rally against Pepperdine on Friday at Patterson Baseball Complex and Coach Steve Hertz Field. Trailing 10-7 in the final frame, the Zags scored one and put traffic on the base paths but could not complete the come-from-behind win.

It didn't take long for Tommy Eisenstat and Gonzaga (19-28, 14-8 WCC) to strike first on Friday, as Eisenstat connected for his third home run of the season with a two-run blast in the top of the first inning. The Zags added two more in the second thanks to a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded and an RBI groundout.

Pepperdine (13-37, 7-15 WCC) chipped away and eventually took a 5-4 lead in the top of the fourth while chasing GU starter Liam Paddack. Gonzaga would respond with two in the bottom half of the inning, taking the lead right back on an RBI double from Josh Hankins that split the right-center alley. A run for Pepperdine in each of the fifth and sixth innings put the Waves back on top, 7-6.

After a Pepperdine two-run home run in the top of the eighth, the Zags found themselves in a 9-6 hole. Vincent Temesvary led off the bottom of the eighth with a triple off the top of the wall in left field, and Eisenstat brought him home on a hard-hit single that deflected off the Pepperdine pitcher to bring Gonzaga back within two.

The Waves added an insurance run in the top of the ninth, but the Zags went to work on a rally in the bottom half. A Hank Dunn walk led off the inning before back-to-back singles from Hudson Shupe and Hankins brought home Gonzaga's eighth run. Pepperdine called on Gunnar Nichols to try and end the threat, striking out Temesvary before a hot shot off the bat of Eisenstat was snagged at first base to end the game and cut GU's rally short.

UP NEXT
Gonzaga and Pepperdine will wrap their series on Saturday. In addition, the Bulldogs will recognize five seniors prior to the 1pm first pitch. Follow @ZagBaseball on social media for all the latest updates, and check gozags.com for results and streaming information.