AP Sports Preview

Bulldogs Host Lions in Afternoon, Evening Twin Bill

SPOKANE, Wash. (Interstat) — Gonzaga begins a three-game West Coast Conference series against Loyola Marymount on Friday, April 24, 2026, with a split doubleheader at Washington Trust Field and Patterson Baseball Complex.

First pitch for the afternoon game is set for 1 p.m., with the evening game scheduled for 6 p.m. The forecast calls for clouds and a game-time temperature of 51 degrees.

The Bulldogs (24-14) enter the series as heavy favorites. They have won 10 of their last 11 games, including a 16-8 victory Tuesday at Washington State. Third baseman Mikey Bell has been the catalyst, collecting at least two hits in seven of his last nine games. Bell went 3 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs against the Cougars and is batting .500 (5 for 10) with a homer and six RBIs over his last three contests.

The Lions (12-30) have struggled to a 4-7 record in their last 11 games. They eked out a 4-2 win over UC Riverside on Tuesday behind a strong start from right-hander Alec Johnson. Johnson, scheduled to start the first game Friday, pitched six innings of three-hit shutout ball with seven strikeouts. His season, however, has been erratic; he allowed four earned runs in 2 2/3 innings against Cal State Northridge on April 14 before turning in the dominant outing Tuesday.

Interstat’s game simulator projects Gonzaga winning 7-3.

Gonzaga’s offense has been potent, averaging 8.7 runs over its last eight games. Loyola Marymount’s pitching staff has been inconsistent, yielding 10 or more runs in six of its last 10 contests.

The teams conclude the series with a single game Saturday and a Sunday finale.