SB | Gaels Wrap Up Promising Season - SMC California Athletics

Saturday, May 11

Moraga, Calif.

11:00 AM

Saint Mary's College of California

14-36, 0

San Diego

19-29, 0

San Diego

Saint Mary's

Abbey Mariani swings on Senior Day versus San Diego on May 11, 2019 at Cottrell Field.

Eryn McCoy delivers a pitch on Senior Day versus San Diego on May 11, 2019 at Cottrell Field.

Dylan Linton celebrates walking back to the dugout on Senior Day versus San Diego on May 11, 2019 at Cottrell Field.

Kimiko Zapanta (left), Dylan Linton (center), and Abbey Mariani (right) stand for the National Anthem on Senior Day versus San Diego on May 11, 2019 at Cottrell Field.

Nikki Alexander fires to first on Senior Day versus San Diego on May 11, 2019 at Cottrell Field.

Hannah Chew calls out from behind the dish on Senior Day versus San Diego on May 11, 2019 at Cottrell Field.

Hannah Chew makes contact on Senior Day versus San Diego on May 11, 2019 at Cottrell Field.

Kimiko Zapanta (left), Dylan Linton (center) and Abbey Mariani (right) pose in the outfield on Senior Day versus San Diego on May 11, 2019 at Cottrell Field.

Bailey Lotz takes a hack on Senior Day versus San Diego on May 11, 2019 at Cottrell Field.

Dylan Linton lays out for a catch on Senior Day versus San Diego on May 11, 2019 at Cottrell Field.

Dylan Linton points to her teammate on Senior Day versus San Diego on May 11, 2019 at Cottrell Field.

Bailey Lotz stretches for the out on Senior Day versus San Diego on May 11, 2019 at Cottrell Field.

Bailey Lotz rounds third base on Senior Day versus San Diego on May 11, 2019 at Cottrell Field.

SB | Gaels Wrap Up Promising Season

5/11/2019 4:40:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

The Gaels made significant strides forward in 2019 under first year head coach Sonja Garnett.

MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's 2019 season came to a close on Saturday as the Gaels and Toreros (20-29, 4-11 WCC) split their doubleheader. The Gaels wrapped up their season with a 14-37 overall record and 7-8 WCC performance.

Despite winning one fewer game this season than the previous year, Saint Mary's made massive strides under first year head coach Sonja Garnett. SMC won more conference games in 2019 than the previous two years combined and it marked the first time since 2016 that the team has finished fourth or better in the conference standings.

Saturday was also Senior Day in Moraga as the Gaels honored their three graduating members: Dylan Linton, Abbey Mariani, and Bailey Lotz. All three players were starters over the past three seasons.

THOUGHTS FROM COACH GARNETT

"I am so proud of the way this team finished the season. We could not have done it without the tremendous leadership and contributions of our three seniors."
"As a staff, we are so proud of their accomplishments on and off the field and the young women the are."

Game 1
Saint Mary's 2, San Diego 0

Sofia Earle picked up her second win of the series with a masterful start in the circle as she threw a complete game shutout to improve to 6-10. The freshman gave up only four hits, walked one, and struck out five to secure the victory.

After five scoreless innings, the Gaels finally broke through in the sixth with two outs. Kalissa Heihn ripped a double just within the right field chalk line to chase home two seniors, Linton and Lotz, to provide the only runs Saint Mary's would need. The Gaels had five total hits in the game.

SMC ran wild in the first game of the doubleheader with five stolen bags, including three from Kimiko Zapanta. The sophomore's 15 stolen bags represent the second consecutive season that she has led the conference in stolen bases. Jayda Alaan and Linton also swiped a base in the win.

Game 2
San Diego 2, Saint Mary's 1

The Gaels had plenty of hits in their final game of the season but couldn't complete the series sweep over USD in the 2-1 loss.

Saint Mary's tallied 10 hits in the game but left nine runners on base. Linton finished her collegiate career in style by picking up three of those hits and had the team's lone RBI on a double in the third inning.

Zapanta also had a multi-hit game with two singles while five more Gaels also picked up hits. San Diego had just five base knocks in the contest.

USD took an early lead in the third on a wild pitch and would add the difference maker in the fifth on a bases loaded single up the middle. Sara Silveyra led the Toreros with a 2-for-4 performance and one run batted in.

Eryn McCoy went four strong innings with just two hits and one earned run allowed but picked up the tough loss. Earle threw three scoreless innings in relief for the Gaels and struck out four.