Gonzaga falls to Saint Mary’s in WCC Tournament opener

STOCKTON, Calif. – Bryce Willitts hit a three-run home run, and Saint Mary’s defeated Gonzaga 7-3 Thursday in the opening round of the West Coast Conference Tournament.

Willetts’ blast closed out a five-run first inning by the Gaels (34-20).

The Bulldogs (30-23) attempted to rally in the fourth, as Troy Johnston and Brett Harris notched RBI doubles and Daniel Frederickson added a run-scoring groundout.

Saint Mary’s answered in the fifth with RBI singles from Ryan Novis and Edward Haus to conclude the scoring.

Haus finished 3 for 4 with a pair of RBIs.

Tyler Thornton (10-2) struck out nine Zags while allowing three runs.

Nick Trogrlic-Iverson (4-3) yielded seven runs and seven hits in six innings.

Frederickson and Guthrie Morrison each went 2 for 4 for the Bulldogs.

Gonzaga will play BYU at noon Friday in a loser-out game. The Bulldogs must win four straight to claim the WCC crown.

Loyola Marymount 4, BYU 1: Codie Paiva struck out 11 and allowed five hits in a complete-game effort as the fourth-seeded Lions defeated regular-season champion Cougars.

Trevin Esquerra finished with three RBIs, including a two-run home run in the fourth inning to put Loyola Marymount (30-23) on the board.

BYU (36-16) plays Saint Mary’s at 3:30 Friday in the winner’s bracket.