SAN JOSE, Calif. — Wrapping up play in the Silicon Valley Classic on Sunday afternoon, Saint Mary's Softball played their second game of the season against San Jose State. After beating the Spartans two weekends ago in walk-off fashion, the two teams played another tightly contested game on Sunday, but this time around, the Spartans prevailed. Saint Mary's tried a late comeback but wound up dropping the game 2-1 with the tying run in scoring position in the last inning. Saint Mary's closes out the month of February with a 5-10 record.
 
INDYA IN THE ZONE
After slumping through the first few weeks of the season, Indya Smith has been rounding into the form that led her to All-WCC honors one season ago. Smith was responsible for the lone run of the game with an RBI single in the top of the sixth, scoring Alex Casas who had tripled just one batter before, making it a 2-1 game. It helps cap off a stellar week for Smith, who went 5-14 at the plate with two doubles, a walk, four runs scored and four runs batted in. Getting Smith back into All-WCC form could be a key to the Gaels offense breaking out in the month of March.
 
LATE INNING DRAMA
Just as both games were on Saturday against Utah State, the Gaels and Spartans provided drama late in the game as Saint Mary's attempted their comeback. In the top of the seventh, down 2-1, Holly Lusk singled with one out in the inning, and her pinch runner (Marissa Montelongo) stole second base. Claudia Kirchner was then hit by a pitch, and it appeared that Saint Mary's had a chance to tie the game or take the lead. Unfortunately, the Gaels were unable to advance the runners past first and second, and a fly out to center field ended the game.
 
UP NEXT
Saint Mary's again plays five games next weekend, but they will head out on their longest trip of the season to do so, with tournament play hosted by Colorado State in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Gaels will play four teams across five games: Wisconsin, Colorado State, Northern Colorado, and Utah Valley. SMC begins with a doubleheader featuring Wisconsin and Colorado State on Friday at 9:00 am PT.