RIVERSIDE, Calif. — After the Saint Mary's offense was held in check for most of Saturday, the Gaels came back and brought the bats out in a big way on Sunday morning. Playing a single game against Harvard, a team that held SMC to just two runs 24 hours ago, the Gaels scored five runs early and got a pair of runs late in the clutch that allowed them to take down Harvard by a final score of 7-5. With the win, the Gaels have won consecutive games for the first time during the 2022 season.
 
EARLY OUTBURST
Sunday's single had a very different flow than the doubleheader from Saturday, where runs were at a premium. The Gaels offense came out of the gates hot in the early morning, putting up five runs in the first two innings. The first four hitters of the game all reached on singles, and the fourth single is the one that began producing damage. With the bases loaded, Indya Smith delivered a two-run single to right field to put the Gaels in front. Claudia Kirchner bounced into a fielder's choice to add in a third run and suddenly, SMC put up three in the first.
 
Saint Mary's was not done after the first inning, adding on two more runs in the second on the strength of just one hit. Lindsay Cabral walked to open the inning, and with two outs in the frame, Marissa Nishihara walked to keep the inning alive. Good thing she did, because Alex Casas ripped a double to left field to bring home both runs and put the Gaels up 5-0 after just an inning and a half. For comparison, in 14 innings on Saturday, the Gaels scored just six runs.
 
WINNING MOVE
Saint Mary's took the lead for good in the top of the sixth inning, and it was aided by a pinch-hit appearance that changed the outcome of the inning. The first two runners were put aboard once Jayda Alaan was hit by a pitch and Sasa Koria singled through the left side, putting the wheels in motion. Then a pair of outs left the inning in danger, with Smith's spot in the order coming up. The Gaels opted to go with Ellen Ebbers in a pinch-hit role, risky considering that Smith has been swinging it well lately. With just one hit to her name this season, Ebbers delivered her second in a big way, sending one to left field for a two-run single to put the Gaels up 7-5.
 
TOP PERFORMERS

• Alex Casas: 2-4, double, 2 runs, 2 RBI
• Marissa Nishihara: 1-3, 2 runs, walk
• Indya Smith: 1-3, 2 RBI
• Ellen Ebbers: 1-1, 2 RBI
• Sasa Koria: 2-4, run
• Sofia Earle: 4 innings, 0 hits, 0 runs, 3 walks, 5 strikeouts, win

UP NEXT
Saint Mary's will play at Cottrell Field for the first time during the 2022 season when they welcome in North Dakota for a three-game series beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 19. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 pm on Saturday at 2:30 pm on Sunday. This begins a stretch of five games at home to close out the month of March, with a doubleheader at Nevada included in the mix.
 
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