SANTA CLARA, Calif. — It was the night of Christian Almanza, as the Gael's first baseman went 4-for-4 with three home runs to tie Troy Channing's single season home run record and lead Saint Mary's (25-14, 10-3 WCC) to a 5-3 victory over Santa Clara (19-19, 6-7 WCC). While Almanza did a majority of the work offensively for the Gaels, pitching and defense were also on display, as the Gaels moved into sole possession of first place in the WCC with tonight's win. 

Derik Eaquinto delivered another brilliant Friday start, going 6.2 innings while surrendering just two runs on four hits, while striking out seven. Derik tossed a career-high 113 pitches in the outing, moving to 4-1 on the season, and 7-1 for his SMC career. He gave way to bullpen superstar Ryan Wiltse with two on and two away in the seventh. Wiltse stranded the inherited base runner, and surrendered just one run over the next two frames, picking up his first save of the season. 

The Gaels got the offense going early, spotting Eaquinto an early 4-0 lead. In the first, Christian Almanza reached on an infield single, and an errant throw by the Broncos shortstop allowed Dalton Mashore to score from second, giving SMC the early 1-0 lead before they ever had to take the field defensively. That lead doubled to 2-0 in the third, when Almanza lifted home run number 18 on the season over the right field fence after an eight pitch showdown. Another insurance run was plated in the fourth, when Coleman Schmidt blasted his 25th career home run to dead center, offering at the first pitch of the inning.

Eaquinto's only hiccup came in the bottom of the fourth, as he walked the first two batters of the frame before surrendering a single and a sac fly to bring the Broncos back within one. In the sixth inning, Almanza decided things were a little too close for comfort, and jacked home run number 19 of the year, like Schmidt, offering at the first pitch of the inning. 

Despite his two home runs, the Broncos decided to pitch to Almanza in the top of the eighth…big mistake. The senior tied the single program home run record with his 20th, a monstrous home run off the scoreboard in dead center, giving the Gaels a three run lead once again, this time at 5-2. Saint Mary's would hold on to win the meeting 5-3. 

Christian Almanza became the first Gael in over a decade to leave the yard three times in a single game. On top of him tying the single season home run record, Christian moved into the record books in a plethora of other categories. His career batting average of 0.329 now ranks tenth in program history, his 118 career RBI also ranks 10th, and his 121 runs scored ranks him seventh in the SMC history books. His 0.384 batting average this season ranks seventh best in a single season in program history, while his 52 RBI this season also ranks seventh best for a single season. He is just two home runs shy of tying the career home run record, also held by Troy Channing. 

The Gaels will be back in action against the Broncos tomorrow at 1 PM. 

Saint Mary's full schedule can be viewed here and season tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

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