SPOKANE, Wash. (Interstat) — Karsten Sweum struck out 11 over 6 1/3 dominant innings and the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ offense erupted for seven runs in the seventh inning to break open a close game, cruising to an 11-3 victory over the Portland Pilots in college baseball action Saturday at Washington Trust Field and Patterson Baseball Complex.

The win, Gonzaga’s second straight in the weekend series, improved the Bulldogs to 19-14 overall. Portland fell to 20-12.

The game’s complexion changed decisively in the bottom of the seventh. Holding a 4-3 lead, the Bulldogs sent 11 men to the plate against the Portland bullpen. The inning featured a two-run single by Mikey Bell, an RBI double by Noah Meffert, and three runs that scored on wild pitches. The outburst turned a tight, one-run contest into a 9-3 Gonzaga advantage, effectively sealing the outcome.

The offensive support was more than enough for Sweum, who delivered his second strong start in a week. The right-hander allowed two earned runs on five hits and walked one. His 11 strikeouts were a season high and he consistently worked out of trouble, stranding multiple Portland runners. In his previous outing on April 4, Sweum earned a win over Pepperdine with 8 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

Gonzaga struck first with a four-run second inning off Portland starter William Labonte. After a leadoff single by Meffert, Hudson Shupe doubled him home. Shupe later scored on a groundout before Bo Shinkle provided the big blow, a two-run homer to deep right field that gave the Bulldogs a 4-0 lead.

Portland chipped away, scoring single runs in the fifth and seventh innings. Cody Nitowitz drove in a run with a double in the fifth, and Jake Swygart added an RBI single in the seventh. Nitowitz finished 2 for 3 with a walk, a double and an RBI.

Labonte took the loss for Portland. He pitched six innings, allowing four earned runs on four hits, walking four and striking out six. Reliever Kaden Starr provided a bright spot for the Pilots, striking out all three batters he faced in the eighth inning.

Gonzaga added two unearned runs in the eighth on Bell’s two-run double to complete the scoring. Shinkle led the Bulldogs’ 12-hit attack, going 3 for 4 with the home run, a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Shupe and Meffert each had two hits.

The Bulldogs’ bullpen closed the door, with Zachary Bowman and Jared Glenn combining for 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief.

The most important part of the game was Gonzaga’s seven-run seventh inning, which transformed a narrow lead into a commanding one and neutralized Portland’s comeback efforts. The inning capitalized on timely hitting, Portland defensive miscues, and wild pitches to put the game out of reach.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 7-6 Gonzaga victory, with the Bulldogs given a 52.7% probability to win. The actual result exceeded that offensive projection.

The teams conclude their three-game series Sunday afternoon. Portland will travel to face Washington State on Monday, while Gonzaga’s next action is a road series at Saint Mary’s beginning Friday.