SEATTLE, Wash. –  Gonzaga baseball needed to hold off the Washington Huskies in the ninth inning for the second straight game, leaving the tying run on third to clinch the series and win 8-7 Saturday evening at Husky Ballpark.
 
In a mostly rain-battered middle game of the series, Miles Gosztola (W, 1-5) and Jackson Thomas (L, 2-1) opened a pitchers' duel early on Saturday. Gonzaga (4-12) was able to put runners on base in three of the first four innings, but came up empty until the sixth. Meanwhile, Gostzola faced the minimum through the first round of the Washington (8-11) lineup and kept the Huskies off the board until the seventh.
 
The Bulldogs were nearly retired in order in the top of the sixth as UW thought to have turned an inning-ending double play, until further review saw a hustling Ty Yukumoto beat the throw from second base and extend the GU frame.
 
Gonzaga took advantage of the outcome, stringing six consecutive hits with two outs to plate five runs and blow the door open. Their final run came across when Josh Hankins motored home from second on a wild pitch.
 
After plating another run one inning later, Gosztola returned to the mound with a 7-0 lead, retiring the first two batters before running into some trouble. The Huskies loaded the bases with two outs, then Jackson Hotchkiss laced a bases-clearing double into the right-field corner before the Zags cut him down at third to end the inning and complete Gosztola's night.
 
Gonzaga picked up what would become a major insurance run in the top of the ninth. Vincent Temesvary and Yukumoto walked, and Gage Mestas moved them over with a sacrifice bunt before Sam Stem grounded out to first to make it 8-3 GU.
 
After leaving the bases loaded in the ninth in a one-run loss on Friday, Washington began another late rally on Saturday hoping for a different outcome against Michael Cunneely. Two runs came across before GU turned to Garrett Gores (S, 1), who allowed one hit before two groundouts ended the threat, leaving the tying run on third base.
 
Gosztola earned the winning decision after completing seven innings while allowing just three hits and striking out eight. All three of Washington's runs against Gosztola came on the final pitch of his outing.
 
Offensively, all nine Bulldog starters recorded a hit on Saturday, led by multi-hit games from Hudson Shupe (2-for-5, RBI, R), Mestas (3-for-4, R, SAC), and Stem (2-for-5, 2 RBI, R).
 
UP NEXT
Gonzaga will look to earn their first series sweep of the season, giving the ball to Justin Feld on Sunday. The game will stream on B1G+ and live stats will be available at www.gozags.com.