MORAGA, Calif. — With the split series against Cal shifting to Louis Guisto Field, Saint Mary's sought to get even with their Bay Area rivals. After Cal took games one and two on their home field, Saint Mary's was poised to win game three until some late offense from the Bears foiled those plans. As a result, the Bears walked away with a 4-2 win on Saturday afternoon to secure the series win over SMC, upping their record to 7-4 while dropping the Gaels record to 5-6.
 
BOWER OUTAGE – PART III
For a period of time on Saturday afternoon, Sam Bower was the best pitcher on the field, and probably the best player. The sophomore right-handed was nearly as good as can be, striking out the first two batters of the game on just six pitches and then going on to retire 16-straight Bears after a two-out single in the first. What was most impressive about Bower again was his command: seven innings of work and no walks, giving him three starts and 20.1 innings without allowing a walk this season. Unfortunately, the Bears got to him in the seventh, with a leadoff single immediately followed by a two-run home run from Quentin Selma, tying the game up at 2-2. Bower finished with six strikeouts and just three hits allowed in the no decision.
 
EARLY OFFENSE
Saint Mary's came out with a disciplined approach on Saturday that paid dividends in the first inning, chasing Bears starter Sean Sullivan after just one inning that saw him throw 34 pitches. Things got going right away as Eric Smelko singled to open the game, Jacob Talamante walked (part of a three-walk performance), and then both Smelko and Talamante stole bases to put themselves into scoring position. Eventually with the bases loaded, Saint Mary's got their first run on a Chris Santiago fielder's choice, and then Gabe Giosso delivered a big two-out single to left field to put Saint Mary's up 2-0 early.
 
TROUBLE IN THE EIGHTH
As good as the Saint Mary's pitching staff has been in 2021, they have strangely had trouble in the eighth inning. Preston Howey came on to relieve Bower and put a pair of runners on while getting just one out, which forced head coach Greg Moore to bring in Jackson Hulett. A single loaded up the bases before Dylan Beavers hit a long sacrifice fly to left field, making it 3-2. A bases-loaded hit by pitch would bring home another run and cap the scoring off at 4-2. For the season, Saint Mary's has been outscored 10-1 in the eighth inning.
 
UP NEXT
The Gaels will look to salvage one game of this four-game series against Cal as they play the series finale on Sunday at Louis Guisto Field. Ryan Taurek will get the start for SMC, making just the second start of his collegiate career and the first this season. He will be opposed by Paulshawn Pasqualotto, who has just a 1.86 ERA through his first two starts of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 pm on the WCC Network.