Zags sweep Portland with stellar pitching

PORTLAND – Gonzaga University used a couple of dominant pitching performances to secure a West Coast Conference baseball doubleheader sweep on Easter Sunday.

Clayton Mortensen went the distance and struck out 16 in a 7-4 first-game victory, then watched as Brandon Harmon completed the sweep of the University of Portland with a two-hitter in a 6-0 second-game victory.

Mortensen (3-2) scattered six hits, allowed two earned runs and walked two, finishing the game by striking out the side in the ninth inning.

Harmon (5-4) didn’t give up a hit until the sixth inning and faced only 33 batters, allowing two hits with three walks and five strikeouts. He also allowed an infield single in the ninth.

Aaron McGuiness homered leading off Gonzaga’s five-run second inning as the Bulldogs took a 5-0 lead in the first game before Portland (14-16, 2-4) rallied with a four-run third inning.

Gonzaga (20-16, 4-2 WCC) will play Tuesday at Washington State in a non-conference game.