SPOKANE, Wash. — Late-inning comebacks have not been a staple for the Gaels during the 2021 season. With the offense struggling at times, if Saint Mary's allows a handful of runs early, they don't often have the firepower to come from behind. They put those worries to bed on Friday night in a series opener against Gonzaga, scoring seven times in the ninth inning for their first ninth-inning comeback of the season, beating the Bulldogs 10-6 at their place. With the win, Saint Mary's improves to 14-13 (4-6) while dropping the Zags to 17-12 (7-3).
 
COMEBACK COMPLETE
The Gaels did something on Friday night they have not done all season: come from behind when trailing from the sixth inning or beyond. The Gaels entered the ninth inning down 6-3 but the bats came alive in the most important time of the game. Seven runs scored in the ninth inning, the second-largest inning of the season for the Gaels. It all began with a Justin Banks walk in the ninth, and grew from there. Nathan Chong drove home the first run on an infield single, making 6-4. Chris Santiago hit a sacrifice fly to score the next run, making it 6-5 with one down in the inning. Pinch runner Coleman Schmidt scored on a wild pitch to tie the game, and then Ryan Ellis hit a fielder's choice that did not produce an out to give the Gaels a 7-6 lead. They added insurance runs on with the big hits, as Jacob Talamante scored two with a double for his fourth hit of the game, and Justin Banks scored Talamante on a double of his own to the alley in left center.
 
KEEPING IT CLOSE
Saint Mary's gave up four runs in the third inning to fall behind 5-0, but they kept it close to be in position to come from behind in the ninth. Saint Mary's singled three times in a row to open the fourth inning, led by Eric Smelko, Talamante, and Banks. A double play scored one run, and the Christopher Campos delivered a big two-out single to score the second run, making it 5-2 Gonzaga in front. The same part of the order got the rally going in the sixth inning, with Smelko walking and Talamante doubling to right-center to score Smelko, making it 6-3, where the score stood until the ninth inning heroics.
 
TAUREK TOSSES
While the offense did its job in coming back and giving the Gaels the lead, credit needs to be given to the Gaels bullpen for keeping Saint Mary's in the game, led by Ryan Taurek. Entering the ballgame in the fourth inning, Taurek did what he does best: keep opposing offenses off-balanced. He threw five innings, in his second-longest relief outing of the season. While only striking out one, he allowed just five hits and one run to keep the game within striking distance. Taurek handed the ball over to Michael Hobbs in the ninth inning, who picked up his third save of the season with a scoreless night after allowing just one hit, but forcing a double-play to end the game.
 
UP NEXT
Game two of the three-game series is set for Saturday night at 6:00 pm, where the Gaels will again attempt to win a series in WCC play for the first time this season. Sam Bower will get the nod for the Gaels, looking to follow a strong start in his last outing that saw him go eight innings in a win over Portland. He will be opposed by Gabriel Hughes for Gonzaga.