Surprise, Ariz. – Pacific Baseball dropped a 7-3 decision in its rubber match with Gonzaga in Surprise, Ariz. on March 2. The Tigers scored the first three runs, but a seven-run eighth inning catapulted the Bulldogs to victory.Drop

Pacific starter Cory Popham went seven strong innings, allowing six hits, two walks and no runs. Popham has not given up a run in 16-straight innings pitched.

The loss drops Pacific to 3-6, while the victory improves Gonzaga to 6-3. Gabe Araj (0-1) picked up  his first loss of the season, while Arturo Reyes (1-0) tallied his first win. 

The Tigers scored first in the second inning on a Jason Taasaas single up the middle. Tyger Pederson scored the run after drawing a two-out walk and advanced to third on an error by Gonzaga.

The Orange and Black struck again in the fifth, when Dustin Torchio lifted a sacrifice fly to left field. Tyler Sullivan scored the run after singling to right field, and was advanced to third on a single by Brett Sullivan.

The Tigers would add another run to put the score at 3-0 after Erik Lockwood crossed the plate on a Jacob Goulder single through the left side. Lockwood led off the eighth with a single up the middle, and he was advanced to second on a Gio Brusa sacrifice bunt. After Pederson walked, Goulder sent the RBI single past Gonzaga's diving shortstop. 

However, Gonzaga would rally in the bottom half of the inning for seven runs. The inning was highlighted by a bases clearing triple from Travis Forbes. Also adding RBIs in the inning for Gonzaga was Caleb Wood, Cory Lebrun Cabe Reiten and Billy Moon.

The Tigers will look to bounce back tomorrow at 9 a.m. against No. 2 Arkansas.