Loyola Marymount at Gonzaga
SPOKANE, Wash. (Interstat) — The Gonzaga Bulldogs host the Loyola Marymount Lions on Sunday at Washington Trust Field and Patterson Baseball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for the afternoon/evening, with the forecast calling for 46 degrees and cloudy skies.
Gonzaga (25-14) holds a solid edge in the season standings, while Loyola Marymount (12-31) looks to salvage a series result after losing the opener 4-3 on Friday. The teams also played Saturday.
Right-hander Justin Feld has been a key arm for the Bulldogs, posting a 1.80 ERA over his last three starts, including a dominant outing Friday against these same Lions: 6.2 innings, four hits, one earned run and 12 strikeouts. In his previous start, he tossed seven scoreless innings at Saint Mary’s. Feld enters the game with a 4-1 record in his last five outings.
For Loyola Marymount, pitcher Jonah Johnson has been inconsistent. He took the loss Friday despite scattering no hits over seven innings, allowing four earned runs with three strikeouts. In his prior start April 17, he surrendered 12 hits and seven earned runs in four innings against Pepperdine. Johnson’s command will be critical against a Gonzaga lineup that has scored six or more runs in eight of its last 10 games.
The Lions have lost nine of their last 10 games overall. Their lone win in that stretch came April 21 against UC Riverside. Gonzaga has won eight of its last 10, including a midweek win at Washington State.
Interstat’s game simulation projects a 7-3 Gonzaga victory. According to Interstat’s ELO system, the Bulldogs have a 68.6 percent probability to win.
Following Sunday’s game, Loyola Marymount travels to UC San Diego on Tuesday before a three-game series at Pacific starting May 1. Gonzaga heads to Oregon on Tuesday, then opens a home series against Santa Clara on May 1.