SPOKANE, Calif. — After Friday night's stunning come-from-behind win that Saint Mary's Baseball pulled out in the ninth inning, it seemed safe to say they would enter Saturday's contest with some momentum. The Gaels scored seven times in the ninth inning on Friday to surprise Gonzaga and win 10-6, but the Zags were out to put that night behind them. That they did, scoring 21 times and holding the Gaels to just three in the most lopsided game of the season for either team. Saint Mary's now falls to 14-14 (4-7) while Gonzaga improves to 18-12 (8-3).
 
WHAT WENT RIGHT
The Gaels were again able to find some offense late in the game, thanks to three runs coming across in the top of the eighth inning to give them some momentum heading into Sunday. Kyle Velazquez and Coleman Schmidt were both hit by pitches, with a Ryan Ellis single sandwiched in the middle to open the inning. Blake Mann then appeared a pinch hitter and walked, bringing home the first Saint Mary's run. Nathan Chong came off the bench and reached on a fielding error from the Gonzaga shortstop, scoring another run, while Chris Santiago bounced out next, scoring Schmidt to cap off the scoring.
 
NO COMEBACK THIS TIME
Saint Mary's was able to come back on Friday night since the game was within reach in the later innings. That was not the case on Saturday, as Gonzaga scored early and often. Eight runs were charged to Gaels starter Sam Bower, who allowed four runs in both the second and third innings. Preston Howey then pitched a scoreless fourth inning before things unraveled for he and Ryan Sanders, who pitched the final five innings of the game. With those extra runs tacked on by Gonzaga, that all but ensured Saint Mary's had no hopes of coming back this time around.
 
THE BOX
Saint Mary's recorded four hits on the night, all singles: Ellis, Santiago, Nick Mistone, and Javy Espinoza. Six Gaels came off the bench to make appearances in the lineup, with Schmidt, Mann, and Chong having roles in the Gaels scoring three times in the eighth. With the Gaels only using two relivers in each of the first two games of the series, their bullpen should be in good shape for the series finale on Sunday.
 
UP NEXT
The series concludes on Sunday afternoon with a 12:00 pm first pitch as the Gaels and Bulldogs meet one final time. Saint Mary's will send Ky Bush to the mound, looking to build off a nine-strikeout performance in his last outing against Portland. If Saint Mary's is able to win, it would secure them their first WCC series win of the season.