IRVINE, Calif. – The Gonzaga bats fell relatively quiet in the series finale at Southern California on Saturday. The Trojans utilized a trio of two-run innings before a six-run eighth closed out the 11-1 win via the mercy rule at Great Park.
 
Gonzaga (18-16) drops their first series since March 7-9, a streak of five series wins that included three sweeps. Still, the Bulldogs are 16-5 in their last 21 games and hold a one-game lead in the West Coast Conference standings.
 
USC (25-14) was first to score on Saturday, plating two runs in each of the third, fourth, and fifth innings off GU starter Justin Feld (L, 3-5). Adrian Lopez continued to torment the Bulldogs, adding an RBI single and a two-run home run during that three-inning stretch.
 
The Trojans then used a six-run eighth inning to put the game away early, tacking on four hits in the frame.
 
The lone Bulldog run came across in the top of the fourth, as Hudson Shupe scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-1 USC at the time. After a hitless performance Friday, Shupe finished with two of Gonzaga's four hits Saturday. Mikey Bell collected a double in his 1-for-3 effort.
 
UP NEXT
The Zags will make a stop at Oregon State for two games Monday and Tuesday. The Beavers are currently ranked No. 6 in the country but will potentially move up after sweeping CSUN this weekend. GU will then return home to face second-place San Diego in a return to West Coast Conference play, hoping to slow a Toreros' surge that is on an eight-game conference win streak.