Tandy Walk-Off Grand Slam Lifts Pacific Tigers

Walk-off grand slams do not happen often, but when they do, the details tend to endure. On Wednesday, May 21, 2026, at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Arizona, University of the Pacific (Pacific Tigers) infielder Jake Tandy stepped to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning with the bases loaded, the game tied at four, and the West Coast Conference (WCC) Tournament winner's bracket on the line. What followed was a decisive, four-run blast that ended the game and sent Pacific into the winner's bracket with a Pacific Tigers 8, San Francisco 4 final.

The result continues a compelling run for the No. 2-seeded Tigers through the 2026 WCC Tournament, extending what has been a dominant performance in WCC postseason play. For context on how far Pacific has come in conference tournament history, see Pacific Tigers' first WCC Tournament win ever — a milestone that makes this current deep run all the more meaningful.

How Did the Game Unfold Before Tandy's Heroics?

San Francisco broke the scoreless tie in the top of the second inning when outfielder Jackson Nystrom led off with a double to left-center and came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Harries, giving the Dons a 1-0 edge. Pacific answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Outfielder Blaine French laced a two-run single to left field, plating shortstop Grant McArthur and infielder Braeden Schnabel to put the Tigers up 2-1.

The game remained tense through the middle innings. San Francisco evened the score at 2-2 in the top of the sixth when designated hitter Trevor Harmon launched a solo home run — his second of the tournament after a three-run shot against Santa Clara on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Pacific reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the sixth through a two-run home run to right-center by outfielder JT Shank, scoring Schnabel again to push the Tigers ahead 4-2.

With two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the seventh, Pacific turned to reliever Regan Carter, who induced a popout from Harmon to end the threat. San Francisco pulled within one in the top of the eighth when a throwing error by French allowed Edison Esquivel to score after a Zack Ramppen double, making it 4-3. The Dons tied the game at four in the top of the ninth on an RBI single by TJ Rogers, scoring Isaiah Landry from second base — setting the stage for what came next.

Who Were the Standout Performers for Pacific?

Tandy's grand slam was the singular moment of the game, but several other Tigers delivered performances worth noting. Schnabel was the most consistent offensive presence on the night, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored — providing the kind of steady on-base production that made the ninth-inning rally possible. French's two-run single in the second inning set the early tone, even as his throwing error in the eighth briefly complicated Pacific's hold on the lead.

Shank's two-run home run in the sixth was a pivotal swing, as it rebuilt a two-run cushion at a moment when San Francisco's momentum — fueled by Harmon's equalizing shot — threatened to shift the game's dynamics. On the mound, starter Zach Todd earned credit for a quality outing, going six and two-thirds innings, scattering five hits, allowing two earned runs, and striking out five batters before Carter came on to close out the seventh inning threat.

What Does This Win Mean for Pacific in the WCC Tournament?

The victory secures Pacific's place in the winner's bracket of the 2026 WCC Baseball Tournament, a dominant performance that underscores Pacific's strength in WCC postseason play. As the No. 2 seed, Pacific now faces No. 5 seed Saint Mary's — who delivered a statement result of their own on Wednesday, May 21, 2026, blasting No. 1 seed Gonzaga 13-4 to advance — in a winner's bracket contest on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 2:00 PM PT. A Pacific win would further cement their position as a leading contender for the tournament title.

San Francisco, meanwhile, drops into the elimination bracket and will face Gonzaga on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 10:00 AM PT in a must-win situation. The Dons showed resilience in twice erasing Pacific leads, but Tandy's grand slam left no room for a final comeback.

Fans looking to show their support for Pacific's postseason run can pick up the Pacific Baseball Division I T-Shirt from Zeus Collegiate — a sharp way to rep the Tigers as they push deeper into the tournament bracket.

Where Does Pacific Stand Heading Into the Winner's Bracket?

With two wins in Scottsdale, Pacific has established itself as one of the two remaining unbeaten teams in the winner's bracket alongside Saint Mary's. The Friday, May 22, 2026 matchup between the Tigers and the Gaels will determine which program claims the top position heading into the final stages of the tournament. Saint Mary's recent 13-4 dismantling of Gonzaga — the tournament's top seed — signals that Pacific will face a formidable opponent, making this one of the most consequential games of Pacific's postseason.

A walk-off grand slam in a tournament elimination context is a rare and defining moment. For Pacific, Wednesday, May 21, 2026 delivered exactly that — and the Tigers will carry that momentum into what figures to be a compelling winner's bracket showdown with Saint Mary's. With a roster capable of both pitching performances and late-inning power, Pacific enters Friday's contest as a program playing its best baseball at the right time.