RENO, Nev. — In their second of what will be a busy five game week for the Gaels, Saint Mary's (27-16) downed the Nevada Wolf Pack (20-22) in hostile territory, 4-2. Saint Mary's expected to use an ensemble cast of pitchers in the midweek affair, their second already this week, but needed to go with just their starter, John Damozonio, and two deep in their bullpen, as Jason Reitz and Owen Cuffe slammed the door shut against what is a very strong Wolf Pack lineup in the victory. 

Used in both a middle and late relief role throughout his career, Damozonio took the hill as the starter for the first time in his SMC career. Coming off of his best out of the Spring last week against UC Davis, Damozonio picked up where he left off, facing just one over the minimum through the first two frames. He would surrender runs in the third and fifth innings, but did an excellent job not getting flustered, and bouncing back after surrendering those runs to record more outs. Damozonio exited with the game tied at 2-2 in the fifth, in favor of fellow San Jose native Jason Reitz. Reitz surrendered just one hit over his two innings of work, and struck out the side in order in the seventh. The Gaels took the lead in the eighth, and sent Owen Cuffe to the hill searching for the six out save. It was Cuffe's third appearance in as many games, but the southpaw showed no signs of fatigue, tossing two innings of hitless baseball for his first Saint Mary's save. Cuffe has not surrendered a run since his first outing of the season, and now sits with an incredible 1.17 ERA.

The Gaels jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in this one. Things got started with a two on, two out double down the left field line by Brian Duroff that scored Coleman Schmidt from second. Following two brilliant frames from Damozonio, the Gaels doubled the lead, with Schmidt scoring again, this time doubling, then scoring on an errant pickoff throw back to second. 

The lead however, would evaporate in the fifth. It was first cut in half in the third on a Nevada sacrifice fly, and in the fifth, a solo shot would bring the score level at two apiece. Damozonio bounced back after surrendering the home run to retire the side and keep the score knotted up. 

Saint Mary's would regain the lead in the eighth. Christian Almanza ripped a double to right, and Tanner Griffith walked to put two on with two out. Up stepped Connor "Bear" Harrison who lifted a skyscraper of a ball into shallow center. The ball danced in the wind and eventually fell in between a triangle of Wolf Pack defenders. With two outs, everybody was in motion on contact, so Almanza and Griffith scored with ease and Harrison motored in with what was scored as an RBI double. That hit would prove to be the difference with Cuffe slamming the door shut to preserve the Gaels victory. 

Bear Harrison logged his second multi-hit game in as many days, driving in a pair as well. Coleman Schmidt scored a pair and extended his on-base streak to 18 consecutive games, second best behind only Christian Almanza, who extended his on-base streak to 25 straight contests. 

The Gaels will return home to take on Pepperdine for a three game set, starting Friday, May 3. First pitch is set for 3 PM on Friday afternoon. 

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

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