Gonzaga Baseball Rises Collegiate Ranks, Ties Program Record With 11 Consecutive Wins
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Gonzaga Bulldogs designated hitter Maddox Haley (20) motions to the dugout after a double against the Washington State Cougars at Bailey-Brayton Field. Credit: Gonzaga Athletics [/caption]
The hottest team in college baseball resides in Spokane, Washington.
After taking its show on the road – by sweeping Saint Mary’s in Moraga and capturing a midweek victory in Pullman – Gonzaga baseball (24-14, 14-3 WCC) has now won 11 straight games, the longest active streak in the country and tying the program record for most wins in a row.
The Zags’ offense continues to produce at unprecedented levels, already eclipsing a program record in one notable category. Their 17 road wins are also the most for any team in Division I. And by beating several notable opponents on their schedule, the Bulldogs have put together a commendable resume that could give them favorable treatment when the postseason rolls around.
So what are the storylines for this team that can’t stop winning in the month of April?
Gonzaga Climbs RPI Leaderboards As it Stacks Wins
Akin to KenPom for basketball, RPI (Rating Performance Index) is an analytical ranking system used in college baseball that measures teams based on their performance while factoring in their strength of schedule.
During this winning streak, the Zags have swept both Portland (ranked No. 78 per RPI) and Saint Mary’s (No. 110). Coupled with other high-profile victories earlier in the season, like Oklahoma (No. 16) and Texas State (No. 38), GU has shot up to No. 31 on the RPI leaderboards. That resume also includes Gonzaga’s most recent 16-8 win over the Cougars (No. 68) on Tuesday.
It sets the Bulldogs up in a prime position to earn an at-large bid into the NCAA postseason if they are not able to win the WCC Tournament. But they’re in pretty good shape in that regard as of now, winning eight straight conference matchups and being two games up on San Francisco in the standings.
Bulldogs’ Blazing Bats Continue as Home Run Hitting Reaches Historic Point
There’s still about a quarter left to play in the regular season schedule, and Gonzaga has already hit the most home runs in a season during the Mark Machtolf era.
The 48 round-trippers hit by the Zags’ offense is the most by the program since 2002, when they clubbed 44, and Machtolf didn’t become the team’s head coach until two seasons later.
The leader in the clubhouse is outfielder/designated hitter Maddox Haley with nine homers, who has played the least amount of games (27) of the now lineup regulars. Haley also leads the team in batting average (.431), OPS (1.261), and is riding a 26-game hitting streak after going 0-for-3 in his first game of the season.
Ryder Young is right behind Haley with eight dingers on the year, while Mikey Bell and Noah Meffert are tied for third on the team, logging seven bombs apiece.
In the three-game sweep over the Gaels, GU scored 27 runs, playing one less inning in the middle game of the set due to run-ruling SMC 14-4. And during their 16-run outburst against Wazzu, the Zags collected 20 hits, their most in a game since 2021.
Select Pitchers Continue to Shine in Defined Roles
While the offense (rightfully) is dominating the headlines for Gonzaga’s current heater, there are still several arms holding it down on the mound.
One of those is senior right-hander Justin Feld, who continues to settle into his spot as a weekend starter. Feld went seven innings for the second time in three outings on Friday against Saint Mary’s, allowing just two earned runs as he worked out six hits and four free passes while fanning three. His ERA now sits at 4.89, but that mark drops to 4.09 over his last four starts.
Starting during each weekend set for the Zags this season, sophomore southpaw Karsten Sweum has been consistent and dependable each time he toes the rubber. In that run-ruling of the Gaels, Sweum went 6 1/3 innings and struck out seven, surrendering four earned runs. The changeup specialist has now punched out at least seven men in each of his last three starts, including an 11 K outing last week.
As for the bullpen, freshman flamethrower Landon Hood has found his groove again after making a few spot starts during the middle of the year. Hood was called for relief in some high-leverage moments during the bookend games of the Saint Mary’s series, and the young righty shut the door each time.
Overall, he struck out four in 3 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and a walk as he picked up a save in Sunday’s 6-5 win. Hood earned WCC Freshman of the Week honors for the fourth time this season after fanning three men in three innings against Washington as well. The blowup outings in his three starts shoot his ERA to 3.15, but Hood hasn’t allowed an earned run in 21 2/3 frames out of the pen.
The lowest ERA on the staff, however, is logged by savvy left-hander Joe Thornton. After starting pitcher Finbar O’Brien was lifted after four innings in that final win versus the Gaels, Thornton was the first man out of the bullpen and shut the water of Saint Mary’s off completely. He only allowed a single in 3 1/3 innings of work, striking out five as he kept the opposition at bay. Not allowing a run in his last 7 1/3 frames and just one in his last 13 2/3 innings, Thornton’s ERA comes in at a crisp 2.63.
On Deck
The Zags will have a chance to set a new program record for longest winning streak back at home this weekend, as LMU (12-30, 3-12 WCC) will come to the Patterson Baseball Complex for three games.
Then, Gonzaga will have a chance to boost its RPI once more in another midweek matchup, heading to Eugene to face Oregon (28-11, 12-6 Big Ten) (No. 27 per RPI) next Tuesday.
