RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The long trip down to Southern California continued for Saint Mary's softball on Monday evening, with the Gaels playing a doubleheader at California Baptist. After the offense was a bit flat against LMU over the weekend, the Gaels came out and got some quick runs on the board against the Lancers, enough to buoy themselves to a 6-2 win in game one before getting blanked 6-0 in the finale of the night. Saint Mary's is now 15-22 on the season.
 
Game 1: Saint Mary's 6, California Baptist 2
 
FAST START
Things got going quickly for the Gaels, who were happy to leave Los Angeles where they were held to just four runs over three games. After the first two hitters were retired, Taylor Lane walked to start a huge two-out rally. Taylor Keinath singled behind Lane, which brought up Jenavee Amador, who ripped a double into center, scoring both runners and making it 2-0 early. Alex Casas followed Amador with a single to left-center, scoring Amador and making it a 3-0 advantage before the first inning closed out.
 
INSURANCE
The same faces were behind the runs that scored for the Gaels in the seventh inning, but it came at the undoing of the Lancers pitching staff. Hannah Ferguson opened the inning with a single, and after a failed sacrifice attempt, the strike zone shrunk for Lancers pitching. Three-consecutive full-count walks ensued, the last of which came from Amador, scoring a run and making it 4-2. Casas followed with a base hit up the middle that scored two runs, capping off another three-run burst for SMC. Amador and Casas both finished the game with three RBIs.
 
Game 2: California Baptist 6, Saint Mary's 0
 
LIMOSNERO'S MAGICAL NIGHT
As the sun set in Riverside, Carly Limosnero was just getting heated up for the Lancers. The true freshman was unhittable in the circle, and she wound up throwing the third no-hitter of the season for California Baptist. She blanked the Gaels while allowing just two walks and having one error in the field behind her. Two of those runners reached in the first inning, when Hannah Ferguson walked to open the game and Taylor Keinath reached on an error with two outs. The only other runner came to open the sixth, when Tori Cervantes walked and was left stranded at third base. Limosnero needed just 88 pitches to become the second freshman this year to throw a no-hitter for the Lancers.
 
LOTS OF EARLY RUNS
California Baptist got to Saint Mary's starter Kailey O'Connor early in the game and that set the tone. The Lancers scored five times in the opening inning, beginning with a two-run double from Alissa Montes De Oca. A throwing error from the Gaels helped plate two more runs, and then Samantha Demyon ended the inning with an RBI single. O'Connor exited the game after throwing just three innings and gave way to Marissa Woolsey, who was great in relief. She pitched the final three innings without allowing a run, sprinkling just three hits and one walk across three shutout frames. That was Woolsey's first action since February 25, and her longest appearances of the season.
 
UP NEXT
After playing five games in three days, the Gaels will have two more games over the next two days to close out this busy stretch. Saint Mary's will play at UC Riverside at noon on Tuesday for their final game in Southern California before returning home for their final home game in the month of April. That game will take place on Wednesday at 3:00 pm as SMC hosts Cal at Cottrell Field.