SEATTLE, Wash. –  Gonzaga Baseball Head Coach Mark Machtolf earned his 600th career win as the Bulldogs hung on for a 4-3 victory over Washington on Friday at Husky Ballpark. The Zags turned away a late UW rally as Erik Hoffberg (S, 1) struck out the side with the bases loaded to earn the save.
 
Washington (8-10) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when Sam DeCarlo punched a solo home run to straightaway center field. It didn't take Gonzaga (3-12) long to respond, as Ty Yukumoto scored on a Hudson Shupe RBI groundout to knot the score at one.
 
A two-spot in the fourth plated Washington's second and third runs, but once again the Bulldogs responded in the next half-inning. GU brought the score within one by taking advantage of two two-out errors by the Husky defense.
 
Trailing 3-2 entering the seventh, the Zags went to work. Gage Mestas led off with a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch before Shupe drove him in on a double down the right field line. He would eventually score the go-ahead run on a passed ball as GU turned to Erik Hoffberg out of the bullpen.
 
Over the final three innings, Hoffberg struck out seven without allowing a hit to stymie the Husky offense. The 2024 team leader in saves ran into some trouble in the ninth, walking the bases loaded with one out. Hoffberg could not be touched however, striking out the final two batters to shut the door on the win.
 
Finbar O'Brien (W, 1-0) earned his first career win in just his second-ever start, pitching a career-high six innings while allowing three runs on six hits and striking out five.
 
On the offensive side, Shupe finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Yukumoto was the only other Bulldog with multiple hits, also finishing 2-for-4 with a run scored.
 
Machtolf earns his 600th win in his 22nd season at the helm for Gonzaga, moving closer to Steve Hertz, who owns the high mark with 637. Machtolf is just the third coach in West Coast Conference history to eclipse 600 career wins.
 
UP NEXT
Gonzaga will try for the series win on Saturday at 5:02 p.m. as Miles Gosztola takes the mound. The game will stream on B1G+ and live stats will be available at www.gozags.com.