April 9, 2018 Final Stats
MORAGA, Calif. -- Matt Green had three hits, Jackson Thoreson homered for the second game in a row, and the combination of Carlos Lomeli and relievers Andrew Hansen, Conner Loeprich, and Ty Madrigal kept Nevada off the scoreboard for 8 2/3 innings Monday as Saint Mary's won its second game in a row after downing the Wolf Pack, 5-3, in a non conference matchup at Louis Guisto Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- A close, one-run game was turned into a comfortable, four-run game thanks to a big sixth inning that started off with Jackson Thoreson's second extra-base hit of the game. Matt Green, Kevin Milam and Dylan Robertson would each follow with RBI hits for the Gaels (17-14) as the Saint Mary's offense rattled off five base hits in a row to push its lead to 4-0. Up to that point, Thoreson had provided all the offense with his second solo home run in as many games in the fourth inning, and in the process extended his hit streak to five games.
- Nevada (17-13) would make it interesting in the ninth with three late runs. The Wolf Pack started the final frame with a pair of singles, and would go on to load the bases with one out against reliever Ty Madrigal. Nevada capitalized on two SMC errors in the inning, resulting in three unearned runs that cut the lead to 5-3. But Madrigal would strand the tying run on base by inducing a slow roller in front of the plate to end the game.
- The Saint Mary's staff pitched well for the third game in a row. Starter Carlos Lomeli took the mound for the Gaels for his fourth start of the year, posting three shutout innings while stranding Wolf Pack runners on base in each of his three frames of work. Meanwhile, Andrew Hansen (2-2) bounced back from a rough outing his last time on the mound at Sacramento State and dazzled on the mound, pitching three scoreless innings of relief to earn the victory.
NOTABLE NUMBERS - 10: The Saint Mary's offense notched 10 hits Monday afternoon. It is just the second time in the last 10 games the Gaels have recorded at least 10 hits.
- .385: The Gaels batted a robust .385 with runners on base. This included three base hits with runners in scoring position.
QUOTABLES Eric Valenzuela, Head Coach - "I like where the swings are right now. We just have to clean up some things defensively."
Matt Green, OF - "A lot of our hitters had really good at-bats, and I think that's going to carry over into our next series. It's always good for momentum."
Jackson Thoreson, Catcher/First Baseman - "I've just been trying to hit the ball hard and do whatever I can to keep the line moving."
COMING UP - Saint Mary's hits the road to take on San Diego in a three-game series starting Friday. Saint Mary's returns home for a 12-game home stand starting April 27.
- Tickets are available for purchase on SMCGaels.com or by calling the SMC Ticket Office at (925) 631-GoTx. Fans can find all live coverage links on SMCGaels.com.