Johnston’s two-run single in ninth, Jacob’s great relief work give Gonzaga 3-2 win at Pepperdine

Troy Johnston hit a two-run single with two outs in the ninth and Alek Jacob completed a sterling eight-inning relief effort by retiring Pepperdine in the bottom of the inning to give Gonzaga (9-11, 3-3 WCC) a 3-2 win over the Waves (12-8, 4-2) on Sunday in Malibu, California.

Brett Harris and Daniel Fredrickson opened the Bulldogs’ ninth with singles. A sacrifice by Jack Machtolf moved them to second and third then Ernie Yake was intentionally walked. After a force at the plate for the second out, Johnston singled to left for the go-ahead runs.

Jacob (3-2) took over for starter Justin Blatner in the second inning and pitched scoreless baseball the rest of the way, giving up just two hits and two walks and striking out six while his teammates played errorless ball in the field.

Johnston and Fredrickson had two hits each.