Gonzaga suffers close loss to Oregon State
MIKE MAYNARD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 10 months, 2 weeks AGO
The Bulldogs gave top ranked Oregon State everything they had but still fell short after 12 innings.
COURTESY PHOTO/GONZAGA ATHLETICS
CORVALLIS, Oregon – The Gonzaga Bulldogs (18-18) fell to .500 after a competitive 4-3 loss to third-ranked Oregon State (31-7) after battling it out through 12 innings, according to a statement by Gonzaga Athletics.
Tommy Eisenstat put the Bulldogs on the board first in the top of the second, blasting his fourth home run of the season to give GU a 1-0 lead. The Beavers responded with two in the bottom of the third to vault back in front 2-1.
GU threatened in the fifth, loading the bases with one out after a Luca DiPaolo RBI double knotted the score at two. Gage Mestas wore a slider off his helmet with the bases loaded to put Gonzaga back in front 3-2, but a big double play from the OSU defense ended the threat.
An RBI double from Canon Reeder in the seventh put the game at a 3-3 deadlock, one that would last nearly five full innings.
Oregon State put the go-ahead run on third base in the eighth, but a hustle play from DiPaolo on a wild pitch caught the runner trying to advance, ending the frame and keeping the score at a 3-3 tie.
Gonzaga's bullpen combined for 7.2 innings, allowing just two earned runs on nine hits, striking out 12. Despite nine walks, the Zags escaped the ninth, tenth, and 11th innings, leaving the winning run in scoring position with inning-ending strikeouts.
The Bulldogs' luck ran out in the 12th as Kai Francis (L, 0-1) looked to escape another Oregon State threat. A strikeout opened the frame, then a single, walk, strikeout, and walk loaded the bases for OSU as Talt stepped to the plate. Francis, just one strike away from escaping the frame, induced a slow-rolling ground ball that found its way into a pocket of the Gonzaga infield, allowing the winning run to score.
Despite the 12-inning affair, GU collected just seven hits in the loss. Beaver pitching collected 16 strikeouts, one more than the Gonzaga pitching staff's 15. OSU walked just four, which made the ultimate difference against the Bulldogs' 11.
Gonzaga will get another crack at the third-ranked Beavers on Tuesday at 2:05 p.m. The game will stream on Portland's CW and Pac-12 Insider from Goss Stadium.
ARTICLES BY MIKE MAYNARD
Eagles suffer loss ahead of conference tourney
CHENEY — The Eastern Washington Eagles (13-18) were white hot coming into their game against the Vandals on an eight-game win streak. However, their momentum ran out at home as Idaho outscored the Eagles 85-81 Monday. “They just had an edge to them tonight,” Associate Head Coach Ryan Lundgren said. “They were the tougher team tonight, bottom line. I mean, they just wanted that game more than us."
Eagles fall after fourth quarter rally by Idaho
CHENEY — After a competitive first half, the Vandals were able to run away with the game 75-64, as they stunted any momentum Eastern Washington (14-17) built. Despite the loss, Head Coach Joddie Gleason felt her team played hard, according to a statement by EWU Athletics. “These were two good teams that battled tonight, and the conference champs took control in the fourth to secure the win,” Gleason said. “Ella Gallatin was absolutely amazing tonight and helped propel us into the lead at halftime. Unfortunately, we couldn't keep them off the glass to start the game and then again in the pivotal moments in the fourth. We didn't match their physicality, or we had the chance to steal the game in Moscow.”
Skjonsby’s late heroics lift Cougs to road win over Long Beach State
LONG BEACH, Cali. — After a late rally led by Ryan Skjonsby, the Washington State Cougars (5-6) defeated the Long Beach State Dirtbags 9-7 Sunday. In a postgame interview with WSU Athletics, Skjonsby credited his team for finding a way to win.