SPOKANE, Calif. — Friday and Saturday night in Gonzaga, Saint Mary's Baseball played in a pair of games that did not resemble how the Gaels typically play. These were high-scoring affairs on both sides, with the Gaels scoring ten runs in comeback fashion Friday, and then giving up 21 on Saturday. The usual lower-scoring game that Saint Mary's played was on display again on Sunday, with Saint Mary's regaining strong pitching that keeps them in ballgames. Unfortunately, their offense came up just short on occasion, resulting in a 2-1 loss and a series win for Gonzaga. Saint Mary's is now 14-15 (4-8) while Gonzaga improves to 19-12 (9-3).
 
TOSSING UP ZEROES
After Gonzaga scored their two runs in the first inning off of Ky Bush, Saint Mary's pitching found their stride in the final eight innings of play. Bush kept Gonzaga off the board until he was pulled in the fifth inning, striking out six over 4.2 innings of work. Liam Steigerwald took over for Saint Mary's with the bases loaded and two outs, but forced a ground ball to first to end the threat. Steigerwald then pitched the next two innings without allowing a run, and Christopher Campos teamed up with Michael Hobbs to pitch a scoreless eighth inning.
 
MAKING IT INTERESTING
The Gaels offense started to show signs of life late in the game for the third game in a row, breaking through in the seventh inning for their first run of the game. Javy Espinoza reached base on a walk to open the inning but was eliminated on a fielder's choice. Kyle Velazquez singled, but a throwing error put both runners in scoring position. A walk of Ryan Ellis loaded the bases before Eric Smelko flew out to center field, with his sacrifice fly scoring Mistone and getting the Gaels on the board. A wild pitch moved two runners into scoring position, but SMC could not come any closer to tying the game.
 
LAST CALL
It wasn't until the ninth inning when the Gaels gave it one last crack at tying the game up, and it all came with two outs in the ninth. Jack Murphy pinch hit in the ninth-spot of the order and singled up the middle. With Coleman Schmidt running in his place, Ellis walked for the second time in the game to put runners at first and second with two down for Smelko. The switch-hitter struck out to end the game and clinch a series win for Gonzaga.
 
UP NEXT
The Gaels will return home for their first midweek game since March 16 when they host Cal on Tuesday afternoon at 3:00 pm. Saint Mary's and Cal will then meet the following week in Berkeley on April 21. These will be two of the final three midweek games for Saint Mary's this season before resuming conference play against Santa Clara at home on April 16-18.