Baseball Opens West Coast Conference Play with 8-6 Win over LMU - Gonzaga University Athletics (2024)

SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga baseball put up seven runs in the first three innings to cruise to an 8-6 win over Loyola Marymount Friday at Patterson Baseball Complex and Coach Steve Hertz Field. Josh Hankins, Max Coupe, and Sam Stem each went deep as the Zags and Lions combined for six home runs on the evening.

Gonzaga (4-14, 1-0 WCC) nearly hit for the home run cycle on Friday. Hankins smashed a solo shot to center field in the first, Coupe went oppo for a two-run homer in the second, and Stem hit a moonshot grand slam in the third to cap a seven-run onslaught early on.

The Zags' run production in each inning came in response to LMU (11-11, 0-1 WCC) posting five runs through the first three frames, including three home runs of their own. The pitching staff settled in for the remaining seven innings, surrendering just one run on four hits, striking out seven and walking three.

Gonzaga posted an insurance run in the seventh after Hudson Shupe singled for his second hit of the game, advancing to second on a hit-by-pitch, and coming around to score on consecutive wild pitches.

After entering in the eighth amidst some traffic on the basepaths, Daniel Sotelo (S, 2) induced two ground balls to escape the scoreless frame. He returned in the ninth to complete the five-out save, despite LMU scoring once in the final inning.

Justin Feld (W, 1-1) earned the win for GU after entering in the third for Michael Cunneely and working 4 2/3 innings, allowing just one hit while striking out four Lions hitters. LMU starter Owen Hackman was charged with the loss, pitching 5 2/3 innings and giving up seven runs on six hits, striking out four and walking three.

UP NEXT
Gonzaga looks to secure the series win on Saturday, with the first pitch set for 1pm. Follow @ZagBaseball on social media for all the latest updates, and check gozags.com for results and streaming information.