MORAGA, Calif. — Nine games into the 2020 baseball season and it is clear that Saint Mary's College is going to be in virtually every game on the strength of their pitching staff. That was on display Saturday as the Gaels took on UC Riverside in the second game of a three-game series, as the Gaels received their second stellar start in as many days. Unfortunately, it was not enough to produce a win, as Saint Mary's was shutout in a 1-0 pitcher's duel, falling to 2-7 on the young season, while the Highlanders get even at 5-5.
 
TOUGH LUCK LOSS
 
Some in the modern era of baseball statistics do not place much value on the "win" and "loss" statistics, as it does not necessarily show the performance of a pitcher. That was the case on Saturday as Ty Madrigal suffered the loss, dropping his record to 0-3, but the result was hardly his fault. He went six innings in his best start of the 2020 season, allowing just four hits, one run, three walks, and a season-best eight strikeouts in the effort. The only run Madrigal allowed came in the top of the third, when a two-out single from Nathan Webb scored Damien Sanchez and provided all the support the Highlanders needed. Madrigal threw 101 pitches in the loss, lowering his earned run average to 5.14, nearly two-and-a-half runs lower than it was entering the start.
 
JUST A BIT BETTER
 
While it was certainly a great start from Madrigal, his opponent, Zach Jacobs, was just a bit better. Jacobs needed 117 pitches to finish the game, but he earned a complete-game shutout for his first win of 2020. The three-hitter was as close to perfection as Jacobs has come in his collegiate career, allowing three singles and hitting one batter (Javy Espinoza). There were three errors from his defense behind him, but he worked around trouble when needed to keep the Gaels off the scoreboard. Saint Mary's put up a pair of two-out singles in the sixth from Gio Diaz and Nico Lima, but could not push across one of them for a game-tying run.
 
SLOW GOING
 
In the first nine games of the season, the Gaels have managed just 20 runs on offense, and they have been shutout five times. Interestingly enough, the Gaels are 0-3 when their own pitching staff allows two or fewer runs. Additionally, in this series against the Highlanders, the Gaels have struck out 11 times in the 8^th and 9^th innings, making it difficult to spark a comeback when the ball is not in play. 
 
UP NEXT
 
Perhaps the Gaels will get things going in the Sunday showdown, the final game of the three-game series as they look to salvage a game in the set. Dalton Ponce will get the start for the Gaels, looking to shake off a loss in his last start. The Highlanders have not yet announced a starter for the final game. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 pm at Louis Guisto Field.
 
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