April 13, 2008
Box Score
Los Angeles, CA - Saint Mary's (19-13/ 4-5 WCC) scores a run in the top of the eighth and goes on to defeat Loyola Marymount (18-17/ 4-5 WCC) by a score of 6-5 at George C. Page Stadium Sunday afternoon. The Gaels win the series, taking 2-of-3 from the host Lions.
In the top of the eighth the Gaels came to bat with the game tied at five apiece following a two run inning in the bottom of the seventh by LMU. Freshman infielder Michael Gastelum got things started off for the Gaels by drawing a lead off walk, he then advanced to second following a ground ball to the second baseman. A strike out brought up pinch hitter senior Kenny Fuglerud, who brought in Gastelum on an RBI single to right field.
Earning the win for the Gaels was sophomore Scott Schneider (5-3) who came in on relief in the bottom of the seventh. On the day Schneider went three complete, giving up five hits, two runs, zero earned, no walks and no strike outs.
Starting for the Gaels today was freshman Justin Kuks who had a very strong performance, going six complete, scattering three hits, three runs, all earned, five walks and struck out five.
LMU got on the board early scoring a run in the bottom of the first, but Saint Mary's jumped out ahead with a three run second. Sophomore Kyle Jensen kicked off the rally hitting a single through the left side to extend his hitting streak to eight games. On the day Jensen went 2-for-3 with three runs scored, and one RBI. Jensen also hit his 12th homerun of the season in the top of the 5th.
Also having a solid day at the plate for the Gaels was sophomore Anthony Aliotti who was 3-for-4, with a run scored and a run knocked in. Aliotti also extended his hit streak to five games.
Taking the mound for Loyola Marymount was Ernie Cho who went 4.2 innings, giving up eights hits, five runs, all earned, three walks, and four strike outs. Taking the loss for the Lions was reliever Xavier Esquivel who went 4.1 innings, one hit, one run, one earned, walking two and striking out six. The one hit Esquivel gave up proved to be costly as it scored the winning run.
In WCC play the Gaels improved to 4-5, in those nine games the Gaels have raked hitting .320 as a team scoring 59 runs and knocking in 23 extra base hits.
With the win today, Saint Mary's Head Coach Jedd Soto, won his 100th win as the skipper for the Gaels. Saint Mary's will return home for a Tuesday game against San Francisco State, with the first pitch slated for 3:00 PM.
