March 9, 2003

Final Stats

Riverside, CA - AJ Shappi and the UC Riverside Highlanders defeated Saint Mary's, 10-2, at the UC Riverside Invitational Tournament on Sunday, March 9. With the win the Gaels fall to 8-10, while UC Riverside improves to 16-3.

Every Highlander collected a hit by the fourth in the 21 hit attack. The Highlander's explosive offense struck for two runs on four hits in each of the first three innings to open up an insurmountable 6-0 lead.

UCR tallied two runs in the first with two outs on four consecutive singles by Tony Festa, Kevin Mangels, Randy Blood and Matt Cunningham for a 2-0 lead.

In the second, Jeff Crinklaw, Brian Wahlbrink and Ryan Harvey hammered doubles in the second as SMC starter Kevin Trochez (0-1) did not survive the inning.

AJ Shappi (5-0) meanwhile cruised, striking out six in pitching six scoreless innings before tiring in the seventh surrendering a run scoring double to Nick Conte. Three Highlander relievers closed out the game.

Leading the way offensively for the Gaels was James Gaulke and Adam Bellows, both tallied two hits in the game.

The Gaels will continue non-conference action on Tuesday, March 11 when they host the San Jose State Spartans. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 PM on Louis Guisto Field.