SPOKANE, Wash.- The Gonzaga Bulldogs (15-21, 8-7 WCC) scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning on Sunday, holding on for a 3-2 win over the Portland Pilots (7-29, 3-12 WCC) to complete a three-game West Coast Conference series sweep at Avista Stadium. A pitcher’s dual between Pilot starter Jared Adams and Bulldogs hurler Patrick Donovan kept the game close, but Jeff Culpepper’s sacrifice fly off Portland reliever Given Kutz proved to be the game-winning RBI.

Tied 2-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, Gonzaga loaded the bases with one out against the freshman right-hander Kutz (2-1). Marshall Bratton started the rally with a one-out walk and advanced to second on a single up the middle by Brad Welker. Kiel Thibault then collected his third hit of the afternoon to load the bases for Culpepper, who drove home the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly to left field. Portland was able to relay the throw from the plate back to third base to catch Welker attempting to advance, picking up the third out.

Gonzaga reliever John Gonzalez (2-3) tallied the final four outs of the ball game, striking out two and not allowing a hit to pick up the win.

The Bulldogs scored two early runs off of Adams, the first an unearned run on a sacrifice fly by Mike Rundle scoring David Johnson in the second. Bratton pushed the lead to 2-0 in the third with his second home run of the season.

The Pilots had their chances for big innings, but Donovan was able to stymie most of Portland’s opportunities. In the fifth, leadoff singles from Joe Watson and Rhett Parker went for naught after the runners advanced on a sacrifice and were stranded. The next inning Donovan struck out Parker with the bases loaded to strand three of Portland’s 11 baserunners on the day.

The Pilots finally got to Donovan in the seventh as Justin Pierce belted his first homer of the season, making it 2-1. Adam Kerr evened the score with a two-out RBI-single in the eighth, but the Pilots again stranded three baserunners as Jesse Rodgers struck out with the bases loaded.

Adams went seven innings, allowed two runs, one earned and struck out two for the Pilots. Donovan also went seven, striking out four and giving up just one run.

Gustaf Little, Watson and Parker each had two hits for Portland, while Bratton had a part in all three Gonzaga scores with two runs and another driven in.

Portland returns to the diamond on Tues., Apr. 20 against the Oregon State Beavers on the road. The game is scheduled for a 5:00 p.m. start.