STOCKTON, Calif. – The Tigers battled back from an early deficit to create a thriller at Klein Family Field. The Bulldogs hung on in the end, winning 9-7. 

Jarron Silva got on base five times with two hits and three walks; he also added a stolen base. Silva, Colby Canales and Brandon Motheral all drove in runs. Jeremy Lea had two hits. Jarryd Wood hit a huge double to drive in three runs for the Tigers. 

Hunter Hayes started the game for the Tigers. Nick Swanson led all Tiger pitchers with 3.2 innings pitched. Jackson Vaughan pitched 2.1 scoreless innings while striking out three. 

Gonzaga got out to another early lead, scoring three in the first inning before the Tigers responded in the bottom of the inning, with a Motheral sac fly to get the Tigers on the board. Gonzaga scored four times in the second and twice in the third as Tiger errors extended innings. 

With a 9-1 deficit Pacific started to chip away. Wood hit a bases-loaded double in the sixth inning, clearing the bases and bringing the score to 9-4. Silva followed that up with a single, bringing Wood home and Canales topped off the scoring with a double to bring Chaz Myers home. 

The Tigers scored again in the eighth; a Silva stolen base forced a throwing error from the catcher, allowing him to score. The Tigers got the go-ahead run to the plate but could not capitalize. The Bulldogs were able to get a clean ninth and secure the win. 

The final matchup in this opening WCC weekend is tomorrow. The first pitch is at noon.