SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Saint Mary's (24-20, 4-4 WCC) dropped the series finale to Santa Clara (25-20, 4-4 WCC) in heartbreaking fashion, as the Broncos walked off the Gaels with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to squeak out a 2-1 victory. 

After yesterday's complete game shutout, Mia Nishikawa drew the start in the finale, and tossed four scoreless innings. She was gifted a 1-0 lead in the first, when Jenavee Amador and Sam Buckley collected back to back two out hits, with Buckley's double scoring Amador to net the Gaels and early lead. 

In the fifth inning, Odhi Vasquez came out of the bullpen, and surrendered the game tying solo shot on the first pitch she threw, but recovered to retire the side with the score level. She also recorded the first two outs of the sixth before giving way to Avrey Wolverton, who stranded the go-ahead run on third. Wolverton recorded two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but a flare single to left with a runner on third would end the game in favor of the Broncos. 

Sam Buckley collected the lone extra base hit for the Gaels on the day, an RBI double to left in the first. It was her 30th RBI of the season, the most by any Gaels since Sarah Lira had 30 in 2015.

The Gaels will stay on the road for a four game set with San Diego next weekend, starting on Friday. 

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