MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's Baseball completed the sweep over UC Davis this weekend with an 11-1 victory at Louis Guisto Field on Sunday afternoon to start the season 3-0.
 
SOLID START
Connor Roberts made his first start as a Gael and pitched five innings of one-run ball while striking out eight batters with just one walk and two hits. Though the Gaels have pitched well in their first three games, the grad transfer from UC Santa Barbara was the first starter so far this season to go five innings and claim the win. The De La Salle High product allowed just a solo home run to right center in the top of the third to the Aggies.
 
The Gaels struck first as they did all series when Nick Mitsone doubled to left center to score Gavin Napier and go up 1-0 in the bottom of the first. They would take a 2-1 lead when Christian Almanza doubled down the right field line to plate Napier in the third inning.
 
THE BIG INNING
Then the onslaught began in the bottom of the fifth when the Gaels batted around and scored eight runs. It all began when Napier scored on a wild pitch, which was followed by back-to-back walks to load the bases and chase the Aggies starting pitcher with the Gaels up 3-1.
 
An error at short led to Almanza scoring and then a sac fly to center by Blake Mann drove in Chris Santiago to make if 5-1 Saint Mary's. Kyle Velazquez drove in Mistone with a single through the left side to make it 6-1, followed by a triple from Marc Goulart to score Velazquez and Christopher Campos for an 8-1 Gaels lead.
 
Napier was not done however, as he would hit a three bagger off the wall in right to drive in Goulart. His head's up play would lead to the Gaels 10^th run of the game when he saw the Aggies catcher overthrow the pitcher and took off for home to put SMC up 10-1.
 
Javy Espinoza would pinch hit in the bottom of the sixth and drive home the Gaels 11^th run of the game when his fly ball to left landed just inside the foul line to drive in Mistone.
 
Ryan Taurek would relieve Roberts and pitch 2.1 innings allowing just one hit with no runs and no walks while striking out three batters. Octavio Corona pitched a scoreless 2/3 of an inning and Santiago closed things out on the mound with a scoreless ninth inning.
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Napier went 3 for 4 with four runs scored and an RBI. Almanza was 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored and Mistone was 2 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored.
 
UP NEXT
The Gaels will head south to take on CSU Bakersfield on Tuesday, February 22 at 6:00 p.m.