Box Score

MORAGA, Calif. - Saint Mary's (0-11) held close on Wednesday, never falling out of arm's reach to No. 19 Cal, but ultimately dropped their home opener, 3-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless opening frame, the Bears (11-0) struck in the top of the second when Lauren Espalin drove in Karlee Sparacino to take a 1-0 lead. Cal's offense executed once again in the top of the third with a leadoff single followed by a RBI triple from the bat of Lindsay Rood to extend the lead 2-0. The Bears would end up adding a final run from a single by Mikayla Coelho in third.

The Gaels' offense managed three hits against Cal's starting pitcher Zoe Conley with two of those coming between their 1-3 hitters. Kimiko Zapanta and Hailey Sparacino each had singles at the top of the lineup while Bailey Lotz picked up the other hit for SMC.

After Cal scored two early runs in the top of the third, Katlyn Whitt came in as a reliever and totaled five innings of shutout pitching. The senior struck out two Bears while only allowing four hits in her ninth appearance this season.

QUICK FACTS

• Nikki Alexander leads the Gaels with six RBIs this season.
• Kimiko Zapanta is 4-for-8 in her last three games.

UP NEXT: CSU Bakersfield

• Saint Mary's returns to the field this Saturday and Sunday for a three game set against Bakersfield. Saturday's doubleheader kicks off at 1 p.m. at Cottrell Field. Links for the contests can be found on the Gaels' schedule page.