MORAGA, Calif.  – The Gaels cruised to victory in game one against Loyola Marymount on the back of a career-performance from right-hander Tyler Thornton. The freshman was nearly untouchable, giving up just two hits in a career-high, 8.0 innings pitched while matching a career-best in strikeouts (12). 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 

• The Gaels got things going in the bottom of the first, starting with a leadoff single from junior Ryan Novis. Two pitches later, freshman Bryce Willits put down a sacrifice bunt which allowed Novis to move to second and it set the table for an RBI single from junior Joe Vranesh. 
• After striking out the side in the top of the first, Thronton got back to work in the second, producing a shutdown inning while striking out the first two batters of the inning. He fanned his first five batters and seven of his first nine.
• Saint Mary's scored two more insurance runs in the third inning thanks to a sac fly from Vranesh for his second RBI of the day and an RBI double from junior Kevin Milam. SMC collected a total of three hits in the frame. 
• SMC padded their 3-0 lead in the following inning, taking advantage of a throwing error by the Lions' pitcher which allowed sophomore JC Santini to reach with one out. After a single up the middle from freshman Kyle Velazquez, senior Conor Thane placed a single into right field which drove in Santini from second.
• The Gaels compiled three more hits in the eighth inning when they scored their final run of the game, extending their lead to 5-0. This time, after loading the bases with three-consecutive singles to begin the frame, senior Austin Chauvin scored on a wild pitch with two outs.

 
QUOTABLE
 
"Tyler was able to come in and pound the strike zone which helped him do a really good job of getting ahead, getting big strikeouts, and keeping the momentum off," said head coach Eric Valenzuela. "We knew we had a challenge with Paiva throwing today, but I'm proud of our guys for fighting and getting to him early." 
 
NOTABLE NUMBERS

• 8: Career-high number of innings pitched for Thornton
• 12:No. of strikeouts for Thornton (matches a career-high at Cal on February 28)
• 7: No. of strikeouts Lomeli collected in his first nine batters. 
• 5.1: No. of innings for Thornton without allowing a hit between the third and the eighth. 
• 1:Today was LMU's first loss in a series opener in conference-play
• 1:This was the first time the Lions have been shut out in conference-play since April 14, 2017 (also at SMC)
• 16:The Gaels are now 16-1 at home (best home record in the WCC) this season and have won 11-straight at Louis Guisto Field. With eight home games remaining, SMC has already tied their home wins total from 2018.
• 16:No. of games this season where SMC has collected 10 or more hits.
• 18:No. of games where Gael pitchers have struck out 10+ batters

 
COMING UP
 
The series will resume on Friday at 3:00 p.m. for game two of the series. Junior left-hander Ken Waldichuk will be opposing Josh Agnew. 
 
#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.