SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Gonzaga baseball was unable to overcome a five-run sixth inning from Santa Clara, falling to the Broncos 7-5 in the series finale on Sunday at Stephen Schott Stadium. While unable to complete the sweep, the Bulldogs earned the series win and remain in first place in the West Coast Conference at 10-2.
 
Gonzaga (17-15, 10-2 WCC) saw its ten-game WCC win streak snapped on Sunday, leaving the tying run in scoring position in the ninth as Santa Clara (14-18, 3-6 WCC) hung on for the two-run win. Justin Feld (L, 3-4) was tabbed with the loss after the Broncos took the lead in the sixth.
 
The Bulldogs trailed 2-0 entering the third but would take the lead with three runs on four hits. Hudson Shupe drove home Luca DiPaolo, who led off the frame with a double. Mikey Bell was intentionally walked to load the bases, then Tommy Eisenstat clutched up with a two-run single to put GU in front 3-2.
 
After four straight scoreless innings from Feld, Santa Clara came alive in the sixth with five runs to retake the lead 7-3, chasing the GU starter in the meantime. Gonzaga was not about to go quietly, as Bell cut the deficit in half with a two-run blast, his fourth home run in four games in the next half-inning.
 
The Zags put two runners on immediately in the ninth, and after a Shupe sacrifice bunt had the tying run in scoring position with one out. Bronco closer Caden Wooster tightened up, striking out a red-hot Bell before inducing an Eisenstat flyout to close the door.
 
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Gonzaga will have a week off from West Coast Conference play, traveling to Big Ten foe Southern California Apr. 17-19 before stopping in Corvallis to face No. 8 Oregon State Apr. 21-22. For game times and streaming information, visit www.gozags.com.