OMAHA, Neb. (Interstat) — Landon Hood delivered a dominant relief performance, and the Gonzaga Bulldogs capitalized on a critical seventh-inning error to edge the Creighton Bluejays 5-4 in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday.

The Bulldogs, who improved to 4-8, built an early lead and then relied on their bullpen to silence the Bluejays’ bats after a rocky start. Creighton fell to 4-7 with the loss.

Gonzaga struck first with a three-run outburst in the top of the fourth inning. After singles by Jack Meffert and Nolan Bell, Ryder Young drove in Meffert with a double to left-center field. Bell then scored on a sacrifice fly by Kade Shupe, and Young came home on an RBI single from Diego Sanchez, pushing the lead to 5-1.

The Bluejays had chipped away earlier. Ben North launched a solo home run to left field in the second inning off Gonzaga starter Erik Hoffberg. Creighton then chased Hoffberg in a chaotic third inning, loading the bases with one out. Connor Capece delivered a two-run single to center, scoring both Joe Gump and Seamus McHugh to cut the deficit to 5-3. Hoffberg was pulled after walking the next batter, leaving the bases loaded for Hood.

The most important part of the game followed, as Hood entered and immediately extinguished the threat. He struck out Jack Rice looking to end the inning, stranding three runners. Hood then proceeded to dominate, tossing five hitless innings of relief. He struck out eight and walked two, completely stifling the Creighton offense and preserving the Bulldogs’ narrow lead.

Gonzaga added what proved to be crucial insurance runs in the seventh, both unearned due to a Bluejay error. With two on and one out, Creighton reliever Shea Wendt induced a potential inning-ending grounder from Brayden Shinkle. However, a throwing error by the shortstop allowed two runs to score, extending Gonzaga’s lead to 7-3.

Hood handed the ball to Joseph Thornton for the eighth, who worked a scoreless frame. In the ninth, Creighton mounted a final rally against Thornton. McHugh was hit by a pitch, Matt Deters singled, and North added another single to load the bases with no outs. After a strikeout, Hank Wachsmann drew a walk to force in a run, making it 7-4. But Thornton induced a sharp ground ball from Logan Baillargeon, resulting in a game-ending 4-6-3 double play.

Hood earned the win for his stellar effort. Creighton starter Ian Koosman took the loss, allowing three earned runs on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings. Bluejay relievers Jakob Ruhl, Wendt and Shane Curtin combined for 4 2/3 innings of scoreless, one-hit relief after Koosman’s departure.

North led Creighton’s offense, going 2-for-4 with the home run and an RBI. Young drove in a run for Gonzaga, which finished with nine hits.

The two teams were scheduled to conclude the doubleheader later Saturday.