The Patriots from Dallas Baptist University snapped their three game losing streak by defeating Gonzaga by the score of 5-4 in Fresno, California in the Pepsi/Johnny Quik Classic held on the campus of Fresno State University on Monday afternoon. The Patriots improved to 8-8 on the season while the Bulldogs fell to 8-6.

The Patriots got on the board in the third inning, after Senior Sean Burgess singled to start the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Sophomore Daniel Magness. Sophomore Austin Thornton added a RBI double, scoring Burgess and Junior Cody Montgomery hit a two-run homerun over the right-field fence, making the DBU lead 3-0.

Gonzaga responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the third, on two walks and three singles, chasing DBU starter Junior Jereme Wilson from the mound, leaving the score 3-3.

The Bulldogs managed to score another run in the bottom of the fourth taking the lead 4-3.

DBU tied the game in the top of the seventh, after Junior Jeremy Goldschmeding doubled to start the inning and moved to third on a groundout. Magness followed with a sacrifice fly, scoring Goldschmeding and leaving the score 4-4.

Gonzaga threatened to score in the bottom half of the innings, but Senior Barrett Pliler managed to work out of a jam with bases loaded and zero outs, keeping the score tied 4-4.

The Patriots retook the lead in the eighth, after Montgomery tripled and scored on a RBI fielder’s choice by Sophomore Jimmy Thoma, giving DBU a 5-4 lead.

Picking up the win for the Patriots was Pliler, who pitched two shutout innings and improved to 2-1 on the season. Sophomore Ricky Sparks pitched the ninth inning and got his second save of the season.

The Patriots resume action on Tuesday morning at 10:00 against Monmouth in their second game of the tournament. Monmouth lost on Monday afternoon to Penn State by the score 6-3.