April 20, 2008
Box Score
San Diego, CA - Freshman RHP Justin Kuks (0-2) has started the last two Sunday games for Saint Mary's (20-16-1/4-8 WCC) and has pitched extremely well, unfortunately the win for his efforts has eluded him, as the Gaels dropped their third straight to the 12th ranked San Diego Toreros (31-11/10-2 WCC) by a final score of 5-1.
Kuks is a member of that strong freshman class of pitchers that has provided Head Coach Jedd Soto a lot of options in late innings and in spot starts. Last week Kuks went six innings taking the no decision in the Gaels win of Loyola Marymount, this weekend however, Kuks was charged with the loss after going five complete innings, scattering five hits, surrendering three runs, all earned, six walks and five strike outs.
The lone run of the afternoon came in the top of the sixth for the Gaels when senior Brian Hawkins lead off the inning with a single to left field. Junior Joel Staples flied out to center for the first out of the inning, sophomore Kyle Jensen reached safely following an error on the shortstop, and Hawkins advanced to second. Sophomore Anthony Aliotti flied out to left field for the second out, which brought sophomore Randy Wells up to the plate with two outs and a runners at first and second. On a 1-1 count Wells singled to left field scoring Hawkins from second.
On the mound for the Toreros was LHP Sammy Solis who improved to 3-1 after going six complete, giving up six hits, one run, zero earned, no walks and six strike outs.
Senior Kenny Fuglerud extended his hitting streak to 11 games after going 1-for-3 hitting a single in the top of the seventh.
Freshman Alex Schmarzo had an extremely impressive day out of the bullpen for the Gaels. The young right hander went 2.2 innings, giving up no hits, no runs, no walks, while striking out four.
But the damage had already been done before Schmarzo's performance as the Toreros scored one in the bottom of the second, one in the fourth and fifth, and two in the sixth to put the game away.
The Gaels will resume play on the road Wednesday, April 23, as they play the final game of a three game series with host Stanford. The last time the Gaels went down to Palo Alto they took the win in a thrilling finish.
