Three-run eighth inning gives Gonzaga win over BYU in West Coast Conference baseball

PROVO, Utah – Mac Lardner pitched two-hit ball over six innings and Gonzaga scored three runs in the eighth inning Saturday to defeat Brigham Young 4-3 to complete a three-game West Coast Conference baseball series.

Second baseman Brendan McClary, making his first start of the season, finished 2 for 4 as the Bulldogs (12-10, 3-3) salvaged a victory in the series. The Cougars dropped to 12-10, 2-4.

Lardner allowed two hits and one earned run, striking out six and walking four. Casey Legumina (2-1) worked the final three innings, allowing three hits and one earned run, striking out four and walking none.

With the score tied at 1, the Bulldogs started their rally against Bo Burrup (1-1) in the eighth, beginning with McClary’s single. Gunnar Schubert’s infield single with the bases loaded drove in the first run. Austin Pinorini added an RBI walk and Daniel Fredrickson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

BYU rallied for two runs in the eighth, but Legumina worked a 1-2-3 ninth to cap the win.