SAN JOSE, Calif. — Day one of the Silicon Valley Classic took place on Friday afternoon at San Jose State, and the Gaels played twice on the opening day. The weather produced less than ideal playing conditions, and it resulted in a lack of runs across the board. Unfortunately for the Gaels, their offense couldn't muster up enough runs to snag a win, dropping the first game 7-2 to Colorado State and 2-0 to San Jose State. SMC is now 4-7 heading into two more games on Saturday afternoon.
 
Game 1: Northern Colorado 7, Saint Mary's 2
 
LATE SPLATTERING OF RUNS
Last week, the Gaels were opportunistic, taking advantage of opportunities that the opponents gave them and cashing in with runs. They did that again in the sixth inning against Northern Colorado, when Hannah Ferguson reached on an error to open the inning. Two quick outs put the inning in jeopardy, but Ferguson then swiped second, and came around to score on an RBI single from Rylee Gomez, her fifth RBI of the year. In the seventh, it was Holly Lusk reaching on an error to open the inning, and then Ellen Ebbers ripped a pinch-hit double down the left field line to score a run, making it 7-2. Unfortunately for the Gaels, they would not add on any further, with the next three hitters all being retired to end the game.
 
TWO BIG INNINGS
Northern Colorado hung a loss on Kailey O'Connor, but it was the Bears who were opportunistic in scoring at mistakes that Saint Mary's gave them. The Gaels committed four errors in the first and fourth innings combined, which led to six runs for Northern Colorado, clearly the difference in the game. Three different at bats produced runs in the first, including an error at short by the Gaels, and then in the fourth inning, the leadoff runner reached via an error, and the final run of the inning came around on a throwing error. Those defensive miscues soiled the final line for O'Connor, who was otherwise solid in the effort, going 4.1 innings and allowing just two earned runs (six total), without a walk, and striking out three.
 
Game 2: San Jose State 1, Saint Mary's 0
 
THE LONE TALLY
The only run of the game came in the bottom of the fourth inning, when San Jose State got some help to get on the board. A leadoff single put the inning in motion, followed by a one out walk against Gaels starter Odhi Vasquez. The Spartans put on a double steal, and the Gaels tried to get the runner at third. An errant throw allowed the lead runner to score and put the Spartans in front 1-0. The inning could have been worse, however, as a sacrifice fly followed the steal, but the runner from third left early and was deemed out after the umpires reversed the call. It saddled Vasquez with the loss, despite not allowing an earned run in six sharp innings.
 
DIFFERENT THAN LAST WEEKEND
Saint Mary's did not score against San Jose State for the second game in a row, but this game followed a much different script. They didn't get their first hit in last weekend's game until the last inning, but on Friday, their first two hitters got singles. That would be the first of three innings where they had multiple hits in an inning, but they still couldn't scratch a run across. In the third, Lindsay Cabral and Hannah Ferguson singled, but an inning ending double play squashed the threat. In the fifth, when the Gaels had just given up the lone run of the game, Bry Waters and Marissa Montelongo singled, and with two down, Taylor Lane walked to load the bases. A fielder's choice on a groundball ended the inning, and ended the last best chance Saint Mary's had to make a mark in the game.
 
UP NEXT
Saint Mary's heads back to San Jose State for the second day of the Silicon Valley Classic, with two more games at the home of the Spartans. First, SMC will take on Sacramento State for the first time this season, with first pitch scheduled for 11:00 am. Then the Gaels will have their third and final game against San Jose State, with the game being streamed on the Mountain West Network at 1:30 pm.