April 23, 2008
Box Score
Palo Alto, CA - Sophomore Ryan Mulligan had a career high four hits and Anthony Aliotti and Taylor Reid combined to pitch eight solid innings, but Saint Mary's (20-17-1) fell to Stanford (23-12-2) by a final score of 7-3 Wednesday night at the Sunken Diamond in Palo Alto.
Aliotti took the mound for the Gaels for the first time since his start March 18 against San Jose State, and looked very sharp. He was throwing all of his pitches for strikes, and was constantly pitching ahead in the count. On the evening Aliotti went four complete giving up three hits, two runs, all earned, walking two and striking out three.
Also pitching well enough for a win was Reid (1-1), who went four complete, scattering four hits, surrendering five runs, all earned, walking four and striking out five in the loosing effort. The last hit he gave up proved to be a costly one, as Stanford's Brent Milleville hit a bases clearing double to put the Cardinal ahead 7-4 in the bottom of the eight.
The Gaels jumped out to an early lead scoring two in the bottom of the first, when Aliotti hit a two out single off Stanford Starter Max Fearnow, scoring Mulligan, and Randy Wells. The Gaels added a third run in the top of the second when Cory Miller scored on a Fearnow wild pitch. The Gaels added their final run in the top of the fourth when Mulligan singled in Miller from second.
Following the three run inning from Stanford this game was anything but over. Just like in the two other games this season, the Gaels provided some late inning excitement. Stanford relief pitcher Alex Pracher was back on the mound for his fifth inning of work clinging to a three run lead. Two quick outs had the Gaels to their final at bat when Mulligan singled through the left side on a 3-2 count to keep the game alive. Randy Wells reached safely after an error by Stanford's shortstop, advancing Mulligan to second.
The Gaels now had runners at first and second with the tying run, big hitting Kyle Jensen up to bat. Unfortunately for the Gaels fans, there would be no ninth inning rally, as Stanford right fielder Brendan Domaracki made a high-light reel catch to rob Jensen of the big base knock.
With the loss tonight, and the decision to keep the tie from earlier a tie, the Gaels and Cardinal have split the three game "series" 1-1-1.
The Gaels will return home this weekend as they Gonzaga for a three game series. The series begins Friday, April 25th, with a 3:00 PM first pitch.
