HUNTSVILLE, Tex. — Baseball season officially began on Friday night, as the Gaels took on Sam Houston State for the first time since 2009 to ring in the new season. Despite a strong starting pitching performance, the offense struggled to find its footing in a 4-0 loss at Don Sanders Stadium.
 
DUELING PITCHERS
 
When it comes to season openers, the big question is always whether the bats or the arms will have the advantage. In the case of Friday's season opener, the arms were in full-effect. Carlos Lomeli was cruising through the first three innings of the game, allowing just one hit to the ninth man he faced. On the other side, Tyler Davis got his 2020 off to a stellar start, going five shutout innings and keeping things stress-free, sans a bases-loaded situation in the third. Lomeli wound up throwing 6-plus innings, allowing just four hits and one earned run, with seven strikeouts in a solid start to his junior campaign.
 
"I thought Carlos got stronger as the game went on," head coach Greg Moore said of his starter. "He did a nice job tonight. A couple of balls got away from us, but he pounded the zone and did what Carlos does."
 
THE INNING
 
The bottom of the fourth inning is what bit the Gaels, with most of the damage coming on seemingly-harmless occurrences. Lomeli hit Blake Faecher to open up the inning, and he moved up to second on a base hit from Corbin Vines with one out. Jack Rogers was next, and he bounced a soft two-hopper back to the mound. Lomeli threw to second to ty and turn the double play, but it allowed the Bearkats to score first. Another hit batter, an error, and a wild pitch produced the second run, while a Bryce Holmes RBI-single made it 3-0. The damage could have been worse, had it not been for Andrew Shebloski throwing out the second runner on the single from Holmes, ending the inning with a strong throw.
 
MULTI-HIT PERFORMANCES
 
Two Gaels had a pair of hits in the season opener, with Gio Diaz and Matt Green producing well offensively Friday night. Diaz singled three times and went 3-5, while Green had a double included in his two hits. Despite getting seven hits in the contest, the Gaels left 12 runners on base, as SMC went 1-11 with runners in scoring position.
 
"A mark of a good offense is one that can score with two outs," Moore mentioned. "We put a lot of pressure with two outs, but we just didn't get the big hit. If we keep swinging the bats well and pushing for 90-foot chunks with two outs, good things will happen."
 
UP NEXT
 
The series continues on Saturday with the middle game of the three-game series against the Bearkats. A pair of lefties are expected to take the hill, with Matt Dillard going to Sam Houston State and Ty Madrigal going for the Gaels. First pitch is at 3:00 pm CT. 
 
#GaelsRise - Season tickets ($80 for adults, $60 for youth/seniors), single game tickets, and group tickets are available.  To purchase tickets, click here.