OREM, Utah. –– The Gaels' offense dominated once again on Sunday as Saint Mary's earned the series sweep over Utah Valley with their second game of 10-plus runs this weekend.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 

• Junior Joe Vranesh was walked to begin the game on Sunday followed by a single to right field from junior Ryan Novis. Junior Kevin Milam was then hit by a pitch to load the bases before senior Austin Chauvin tripled to right center and cleared the bases to go up 3-0. Sophomore Jack Murphy then hit a single up the first base side and gave the Gaels the four-run lead.

 

• SMC scored five runs between the fourth and sixth innings as multiple errors, a balk, and an RBI walk from sophomore JC Santini accounted for SMC's scoring.

 

• Freshman Bryce Willits pushed across the Gaels' 10th run of the game and his second RBI of the season in the eighth, reaching on a fielder's choice.

 

• UVU scored their lone run of the game in the bottom of the seventh: The Wolverines loaded the bases with three-consecutive singles to open the frame and then scored on an RBI fielder's choice two batters. Sophomore right-hander Nathan Schneider (who had entered the game at the beginning of the inning) did well to limit the damage afterwards, forcing the following batter to ground out on the very next pitch.

 

• Pitching: freshman Tyler Thornton delivered yet another dominant start, tossing 6.0 innings and allowing just two hits while striking out eight and walking one. His numbers have been eye popping this season as in three starts, he has only allowed three earned runs in 18.1 innings pitched while striking out a team-high, 27 batters. Furthermore, he has only allowed eight hits.  

 
NOTABLE NUMBERS

• 31: SMC outscored UVU 31-5 in the 3-game sweep
• 2: The Gaels have two non-conference sweeps for the first time since 2011 when they swept New Orleans and Southern Utah
• 5: No. of games where SMC has scored 10 or more runs this season (three in the last four games)
• 8: No. of games SMC has with 10 or more hits
• 4: Four-straight games where the Gaels had had 11-plus base hits

 
QUOTABLE
 
"I'm proud of the way we played this weekend," said head coach Eric Valenzuela. "We didn't have an error all weekend, threw strikes, and really swung the bats. After a tough series last weekend, coming out like this says a lot. We will look to carry our momentum into this next week." 
 
 
COMING UP
 
The Gaels will return to Moraga to face Rider University on Wednesday at 3 p.m. before beginning their first West Coast Conference series against Pacific at home.
 
#GaelsRise – Tickets for all upcoming home game are available for purchase here on SMCGaels.com or by calling the SMC Ticket Office at (925) 631-GoTx. Fans can find all live coverage links on SMCGaels.com.