MORAGA, Calif. - The Saint Mary's Baseball Team has had a string of convincing victories in the past week, but today showed they can also win a one-run pitcher's dual in a 1-0 victory over UC Davis on Tuesday afternoon. The win extends their program-best start to 8-0 and closes out a season sweep of the Aggies.

The game was reminiscent of their season opener against the Aggies in Davis, Calif. The Gaels stung the ball early but hadn't gotten many to land for hits, or if they did get hits they weren't quite able to string them together. But they would break through in the eighth to take the lead for good, just as they did in the season opener.

The Aggies freshman starter Byran Green pitched very efficiently through 5.2 innings of scoreless ball and reliever Daniel Carrion was good for an inning and a third before they Gaels got to him in the bottom of the eighth. Saint Mary's used a bullpen day, rolling out seven pitchers to cover nine shutout innings without walking a batter. Ryan Wiltse got the start and pitched two scoreless innings allowing just two hits while striking out three batters.

He was followed by Jackson Hulett, Preston Howey, Jack Snook, Nathan Schneider, Chris Santiago, and Christopher Campos. Howey was the other pitcher to throw two innings as he allowed just one hit while striking out a pair. Santiago picked up the win after Blake Mann hit a one-out tripled off the wall in right center field and was driven in on the very next pitch on a base hit through the left side with the infield in by Coleman Schmidt.

Saint Mary's threatened for more after Schmidt stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. The Gaels tried a suicide squeeze play with Gavin Napier at the plate but he couldn't connect on the bunt and the Aggies catcher chased down Schmidt for the second out. Napier singled to center on the next pitch and advanced to second after an errant pick off at first and got over to third after a passed ball. The Aggies kept the Gaels to just one run though after striking out Christian Almanza after a long battle at the plate.

Santiago moved over from shortstop to the pitcher's mound to close out the game, just as he did in the season opener. The Aggies got a base hit through the right side to start the inning and then Campos hit a batter with two outs. But he got the Davis DH to pop out to Almanza and the Gaels held on for the 1-0 win. 

UP NEXT
The Gaels will begin a four-game set in Riverside, Calif. on Friday with a double header on Saturday afternoon.