MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's Baseball (16-10) returned to non-conference action on Friday, welcoming the WAC leading GCU Lopes (15-13) to town to open a four game set. GCU jumped out to an early lead against the Gaels, the pitching and offense both steadied as the game wore on. As Saint Mary's took their first lead through four innings, the skies opened up bringing thunder and lightning and forcing a 51 minute delay, but the Gaels stayed hot, out-scoring the Lopes 7-3 after the delay en route to the 11-6 victory. Ryan Sanders picked up his third win, working four innings in relief of starter Derik Eaquinto. 

GCU opened up the scoring by plating an unearned run in the first and solo shot to lead off the second. Nathan Chong responded by absolutely crushing a ball over the left field fence for his seventh home run of the season in the bottom of the second to cut the early deficit in half. Jared Mattam led off the third with a single up the middle, stole second and was doubled home by Christian Almanza, as the Gaels drew level through three innings at two apiece. 

The Lopes would regain the lead early in the fourth, as the bottom third of the lineup produce a pair of singles and a sacrifice bunt, resulting in a run, but the Gaels responded again in the bottom half, loading the bases before Connor "Bear" Harrison laced a single through the 5-6 hole to tie things up, and Gavin Napier lifted a fly ball to right deep enough to score Dalton Mashore and give SMC their first lead of the game. Shortly thereafter, lightning struck and our game headed into a delay. 

Coming out of the break, both teams traded scoreless frames in the fifth. Sanders surrendered a leadoff home run in the sixth however, and once again we found ourselves level, this time at four all. The Gaels would take a lead in the bottom of the sixth that they would not relinquish. Saint Mary's opened the inning by loading the bases with nobody out. Gavin Napier reached on an error committed by the Lopes first baseman, plating two and placing Napier on first and Jared Mettam on third. Napier and Mettam pulled off a perfect double steal, allowing Jared to score, and Brian Duroff would single Napier home to bring the score to 8-4. Three more insurance runs came in for the Gaels in the seventh, off the bats of Mettam, Christian Almanza and Ryan Pierce. GCU would strike for a run each in the eighth and ninth, but it was not enough to overcome the mighty offensive onslaught from the Gaels, who took the game 11-6.

Nathan Chong broke out of a brief coldspell, as the Gaels DH went 3-for-4 at the plate, scoring three times and leaving the yard with a solo blast. It was Chong's first multi-hit game since 3/9 at Florida, and his first three hit game since the second game of the season against Oakland. Jared Mettam swiped a pair of bags in the contest, giving him the team lead on the season with seven. Ryan Sanders moved to 3-0 on the season. He has not taken a loss on the hill since May 19 of last year. 

The Gaels will play a doubleheader with GCU tomorrow starting at 11 AM. Game one is scheduled for seven innings, while game two, set to start 40 minutes after the culmination of game one, is set for nine. 

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

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