Final Stats

PULLMAN, Wash. -- Another back-and-forth battle ensued Friday at Bailey-Brayton Field with three more lead changes after Thursday's tight 11-inning affair, as the Saint Mary's baseball team came out on top in game two, holding on for a 4-3 victory over Washington State to even the series.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Gaels (8-4) had to capitalize and take the lead three times in the second, sixth and ninth innings to eventually come away with the victory. Conor Thane put the Gaels on the board first with a well-placed infield single in the second and a Kevin Milam two-RBI double in the sixth gave the Gaels a 3-2 lead.
  
  
• Austin Chauvin went 3 for 5 and delivered the go-ahead run in the bottom of the ninth with an RBI single down the line to score Joey Fiske and take the 4-3 lead. He also scored the first run of the game in the second when Thane drove him in from third, making it 1-0.
  
  
• The Gaels received a huge boost from Connor Loeprich out of the bullpen in a big spot in the bottom of the ninth. The Cougars had already drawn three walks in the inning to load the bases and were looking to steal another victory. But Loeprich came in and threw two quick strikes, then induced a game-ending 6-4-3 double play. The game was nearly tied at 4-4, but an interference call on the runner sliding into second ended the game, even though the throw to first was late.
  
  
• Washington State (3-7) fought back twice in the game, taking a 2-1 lead in the fourth and tying it at 3-3 in the sixth, but the Cougars also squandered opportunities of its own. WSU left 11 runners on base and went just 2 for 11 (.182) with runners in scoring position.
  
  
• Nate Schneider made his collegiate debut and threw three key innings in relief for the Gaels, allowing no runs while earning the win in his first collegiate appearance. He also recorded a his first career strikeout in the bottom of the sixth to hold off a Washington State rally and strand two runners in scoring position.

• 0: The SMC defense was errorless Friday after committing four errors in Thursday's series opener. It was the first game it has had no errors since Feb. 25.
• 1st: Schneider made his first collegiate appearance Friday, throwing three innings. He only allowed two hits and also recorded his first career strikeout to end the sixth.
• 7: Saint Mary's pitchers walked seven Cougars for the second straight day, tying their season high from Thursday's series opener. Schneider walked five and starter Carlos Lomeli walked two while also hitting two batters, giving WSU nine free base runners on the day.
• 13: The Gaels had 13 hits, tying a season high and making it four straight games with double-figure hits. They also stranded 13 base runners, including nine in scoring position.

• Game three of the series is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday. Saint Mary's will send right-hander Nick Frank to the mound against a Washington State starter to be named.
  
  
• Fans can find all live coverage links on SMCGaels.com.