University of Washington
Gonzaga
UW Makes Seven Run Fourth Stand In 7-3 Win Over Zags
March 25, 2015 | Baseball
SPOKANE, Wash. – Washington exploded for all seven runs in the fourth inning to carry the Huskies to a 7-3 win Tuesday over Gonzaga at Patterson Baseball Complex. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Huskies (14-10) and sent the Bulldogs (11-13) to their fifth loss in six games.
No. 9 hitter Kyle London had a career-high three hits to lead UW's offense, which outhit Gonzaga 10-5.
The Huskies sent 11 batters to the plate in the fourth, pounding out seven hits, including three doubles. Six of the runs in the inning came after two outs and four of them were unearned.
After Joey Morgan singled home Alex Schmidt to tie the score at 3-3, Kyle London singled to put runners on first and second. No. 9 hitter Levi Jordan then hit a grounder to third that was misplayed, allowing Morgan to score, and both runners moved into scoring position when the left fielder also misplayed the ball.
Pinch-hitter Will Sparks then stepped up and cranked a double to the wall in left-center that scored two and gave Washington the 6-3 advantage. Jack Meggs, the 10th hitter of the inning, completed the scoring with a single to center that allowed Sparks to cross the plate for the 7-3 lead.
The game started ominously for the Huskies as their pitchers had trouble finding the strike zone in the first inning allowing Gonzaga to take an early 2-0 advantage without the benefit of a base hit. The Bulldogs loaded the bases to start the game without swinging at a pitch.
UW starter Henry Baker hit lead-off hitter Mitchell Gunsolus with his first pitch and then walked Jeffrey Bohling on four pitches. Alex Nesbitt replaced Baker on the mound and promptly walked Sam Brown to load the bases. After getting a foul out for the first out, Nesbitt enticed Justin Jacobs to roll into a fielder's choice that scored Gunsolus. When shortstop Chris Baker threw wild to first trying to turn a double play, Bohling came around to score.
The Bulldogs' added on another unearned run in the third to take a 3-0 lead. With two outs and a runner at third, catcher Jimmy Sinatro hit a chopper to third baseman Schmidt. Schmidt's throw pulled first baseman Branden Berry off the bag allowing Bohling to score.
After that, the Huskies' offense took off and the UW pitching staff settled down. Nesbitt (1-0) threw four innings of one-hit relief, striking out three to earn his first career victory.
Three relievers after Nesbitt shut out the Bulldogs over the final five innings. Brandon Choate threw 2 and 2/3 innings, Spencer Jones threw 1 and 1/3 innings and Troy Rallings struck out the side in ninth.
Washington wraps up the quick two-game series against Gonzaga tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. The Huskies return home for a three-game set against the USC Trojans starting Friday at Husky Ballpark.
Washington 7, Gonzaga 3
UW 000 700 000 –- 7 10 2
GU 201 000 000 –- 3 5 3
LOB: UW 5, GU 8. Henry Baker, Alex Nesbitt (1), Brandon Choate (5), Spencer Jones (7), Troy Rallings (9) and Joey Morgan; Hunter Wells, Calvin LeBrun (4), Brandon Bailey (8), David Bigelow (9) and Jimmy Sinatro. W – Nesbitt (1-0). L – Wells (0-1). Sv – none. HR – none. 3B – none. 2B – UW, Branden Berry, Josh Cushing, Will Sparks; GU, Jeffrey Bohling. Time – 2:48. Attendance – 529.
