MORAGA, Calif. — The Gaels (29-20, 9-4 WCC) took a big first step towards their final push for a WCC Title with a 5-3 victory over LMU (26-24, 7-6 WCC). In a battle of long ball (LMU) vs small ball (SMC), the Gaels erased an early 2-1 deficit to best the Lions for the first time since 2021. With San Diego and Santa Clara getting the late start on Thursday afternoon, the Gaels still firmly control their own destiny, still holding a game lead on Santa Clara even if they defeat San Diego, and a two game lead if they fall, with three games to go.
Defending WCC Pitcher of the Week Odhi Vasquez pitched her third consecutive complete game victory, moving her to 11-7 on the campaign. She made two mistake pitches throughout the entire game, surrendering a two run home run to WCC home run leader Izzy Jamgotchian and a solo shot to Jasmine Sofowora, but only allowed one other hit throughout the contest, while fanning five. With another brilliant outing, Vasquez is making a strong case for WCC Pitcher of the Year, especially after besting fellow candidate Jenna Perez today.
The Gaels opened the scoring in the first after Vasquez stranded two on in the top half. Hannah Ferguson led off the game with a walk and stole second before advancing to third on a Marissa Montelongo groundout to third. That brought up Jenavee Amador, who drove the second offering she saw to left center for a one out RBI double to give SMC the early lead.
With a runner on third and two outs in the top of the third, Odhi Vasquez surrendered a two run blast to Izzy Jamgotchian, but the Lions momentum would not last long. Vasquez retired the next batter she face, and after two quick outs delivered by LMU's Jenna Perez in the bottom of the third, Marissa Montelongo would work a walk to set the table for what would prove to be the decisive rally in the game. Montelongo swiped both second and third, bringing her to 33 for the season, six shy of the program single season record. Amador and Sam Buckley worked back to back walks to load the bases, with Amador being pinch run for by Gracie Carpenter. Alex Cutonilli was the next to step up, and hit a slow nubber back to the circle. The pitcher Perez opted to try and get the force at the plate, but Montelongo slid in safely, as the ball got away from the Lions catcher, allowing Carpenter to score as well and give the Gaels the lead. Buckley advanced to third and Cutonilli advanced to second on the play. Still with two away, Taylor Lane stepped up and struck out on three pitches, however, the third strike got away from the catcher and Lane reached, as Buckley scored to open things up to a four run lead.
Vasquez would plunk the first batter she faced in the top of the fourth, and then proceeded to retire nine straight. This gave Saint Mary's the chance to add a big insurance run in the fifth, when Buckley doubled to shallow center, Cutonilli singled to left and Lane lifted a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Buckley.
Ahead 5-2 in the seventh, Vasquez surrendered a leadoff home run, but bounced back to retire the next three in order, earning her 11th win of the year, and bringing the Gaels magic number to three, meaning that any combination of three SMC wins and/or Santa Clara losses will secure them their first WCC Title in program history, however, this only holds true if the Gaels split or win this series with LMU.
The Gaels will play two tomorrow against LMU, starting at 12 PM.
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