Final Stats

PULLMAN, Wash. - Ken Waldichuk tallied double-digit strikeouts for the third straight game and did not allow a hit until the sixth inning Sunday, as he pitched Saint Mary's to a series split with Pac-12 Conference member Washington State in a 3-1 victory at Bailey-Brayton Field.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Waldichuk set a new career high in strikeouts for the second time in three starts, whiffing 12 Cougars. It was the most strikeouts by a Gael since Drew Strotman K'd 14 on Senior Day (May 21) last season versus Santa Clara. He did not allow a run and only surrendered two hits in seven innings of work, lowering his season ERA to 1.05.
  
  
• Waldichuk carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning Sunday. He looked to be in trouble right away in the first inning when he put WSU's first two hitters of the game on base via a walk and hit-by-pitch, but he would go on to retire 16 of the next 17 batters he faced with nine Ks, a two-out walk in the third the only blemish in that streak. It was Dillon Plew who would break up the no-no, singling to shallow right field on an 0-1 count.
  
  
• The Gaels' (9-5) top six hitters in the lineup each had base hits, led by Jackson Thoreson's 2 for 3 day. It was Edward Haus' bases loaded, two-out, two-run single in the third that would supply all the offense SMC needed. Brett Rasso tacked on an insurance run with an RBI single in the top of the ninth, scoring Joey Fiske.
  
  
• Michael Hobbs earned his fourth save of the year with two innings of work, striking out three and allowing just one run in the ninth after the Cougars got a leadoff triple from Justin Harrer. That made 10 strikeouts for Hobbs in the series after he struck out seven in three innings on Thursday.

• 3: The Gaels held Washington State to just three hits. It was the third straight game in the series they held the Cougars to six or less base hits, and the fifth time this season holding opponents to five or less.
• 7: After drawing just one free pass Saturday, the Gaels got back to being patient Sunday and drew seven walks. The Gaels drew 27 free passes in the series against Washington State (20 walks, seven hit-by-pitches).
• 11: But SMC also stranded 11 runners on Sunday. The Gaels stranded 40 base runners in the four-game series at WSU, including at least 11 in three games.
• 15: Waldichuk and Hobbs combined to strike out 15 WSU batters, tying a season high from Thursday when Hobbs also chipped in on 15 staff Ks. It's the most strikeouts the Gaels have had since Waldichuk helped strike out 17 San Francisco batters on April 8 last season.

• The Gaels host Northern California foe Fresno State for a midweek non-conference clash at 3 p.m. Wednesday before opening West Coast Conference play at Portland on Friday.
  
  
• Tickets for all home games are available for purchase on SMCGaels.com or by calling the SMC Ticket Office at (925) 631-GoTx. Fans can find live coverage links for all games on SMCGaels.com.