STOCKTON, Calif. – The Pacific Tigers pulled off a big comeback against the Gaels on Friday night, taking game one of the three-game set by the score of 8-7.
 
The Gaels lead 7-0 after three innings, but the Tigers would claw their way back into it with two runs in the fourth and three more in the sixth by simply stringing some hits together. Ryan Taurek went a season high 5.1 innings pitched and didn't walk a batter while striking out seven when Pacific had their sixth-inning rally.
 
Ryan Daugherty was lights out in the seventh for the Gaels, but ran into some trouble in the eighth with the Gaels up 7-5. A pitch grazed the Pacific leadoff hitter to put him on with a hit by pitch before a bloop single to left put two runners on.
 
A great bunt by the Tigers center fielder was handled by catcher Blake McDonald, but the throw was wide of first and went into right field, allowing both runners to score and tie the game at 7-7. The batter was able to get to third on the error before Chris Santiago took the mound after playing the first seven innings at first base, and the Tigers got a sac fly to take an 8-7 lead.
 
It was fireworks night at Klein Family Field on Friday, but the Gaels offense that provided the early pyrotechnics as they hit three home runs in the first three innings.
 
The first came after a Hunter Hirayama single when Dalton Mashore hit a towering fly ball over the tall wall in left center above the 405-foot maker for his second dinger of the season. That was followed by a Gavin Napier walk before Nick Mistone drilled a home run over the left-field fence for a 4-0 Saint Mary's lead.
 
SMC kept the hit parade going in the third when Blake Mann led off the inning with a solo home run to left for his second home run in as many games. Mashore would drive in two more with a hard-hit ball under the diving shortstop of the tigers to score Riley Lamb and Kyle Velazquez to put the Gaels ahead 7-0.
 
UP NEXT
Game two in Stockton is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Klein Family Field.