Roll Zags! The Bulldogs continued their rise in the rankings this week after winning the Loyola Marimount series over the weekend, now at #24 in the Baseball America rankings and #29 in Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. With the win, Gonzaga (21-11-1) has emerged victorious in both conference series so far. After taking two games, the Zags now sit alone atop the WCC.
Read below the jump for a quick LMU weekend wrap-up
The series got off to a dramatic start Friday night in L.A., when GU catcher Cameron Edman belted a three-run homer in the ninth inning to win the opener 5-3. Ryan Carpenter was dependable as always, surrendering just three runs in seven innings. Cody Martin took it the rest of the way, keeping the Lions hitless in the final frames.Martin was the second consecutive Zag pitcher to win WCC Rawlings Pitcher of the Week honors. He tossed in each game against the Lions and went hitless through 3.2. He's now 2-0 with seven saves.
Saturday's game was decided early: Tyler Olson gave up nine runs in his six innings of work, and LMU topped us 9-4, despite impressive multi-hit performances from Royce Bolinger, Tyler Chism, Eric Lane, and Billy Moon.
Despite a 1-1 tie midway into Sunday's contest, Gonzaga blew the game open in the fifth when they brought four runs across. LMU continued to pitch below-par, and the Zags took it 7-1.
I'll be posting a series preview Thursday morning; that night the SMC Gaels visit GU for the long weekend.