MORAGA, Calif. — A stellar outing on the mound Friday that was one out from being a no-hitter and led to a 9-0 win over preseason West Coast Conference favorite San Diego earned Saint Mary's right-handed pitcher Corbin Burnes Muscle Milk Student-Athlete of the Week honors.

Burnes nearly threw a perfect game in Friday's series opener at San Diego, retiring the first 22 batters he faced in 7 1/3 perfect innings, then recorded 26 outs before surrendering his first hit with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, narrowly missing a no-hitter while losing a perfect game in the eighth inning.

Burnes improved to 3-0 on the year while throwing less than 100 pitches in his first career shutout. He only faced four three-ball counts all game, and didn't see his first until the bottom of the seventh. He retired 18 of 27 batters with three pitches or less with four strikeouts and one walk in a game that lasted less than 2 1/2 hours. The performance dropped his season ERA to a team-best 2.23 and lowered his batting average against to .226

Burnes and the Gaels begin a four-game home stand starting at 3 p.m. Tuesday versus Fresno State. WCC play continues Thursday with the start of a three-game series versus Gonzaga at Louis Guisto Field. Tickets are available for all games of the home stand and can be purchased online on SMCGaels.com or by calling the Saint Mary's ticket office at 925-631-GoTx. Season tickets, group tickets, multi-game plans and single game tickets are available for purchase.

FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-date news, photos, videos and other features you can follow Saint Mary's College varsity athletic teams on Twitter (@SMCGaels), Instagram (@SMCGaels) and Facebook (Facebook.com/SMCGaels). You can also watch great video on-demand highlights and features as well as most Gaels sporting events live via GaelVision on SMCGaels.com.

SUPPORT THE GAELS
A gift to the Gael Athletic Fund directly benefits Saint Mary's student-athletes. This allows them the opportunity to attain an education guided by our Catholic, Lasallian and Liberal Arts traditions while participating in a competitive athletic experience. Monies raised through the Fund will assist in funding scholarships, facilities, operating budgets and academic support.