Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 DAVIS, Calif. – The Saint Mary's Gaels (1-4) took early leads in both of their contests today against Boise State (4-1) and UC Davis (3-1), but couldn't hold those leads, falling 6-3 and 2-1 respectively to the Broncos and Aggies. Both outings had terrific pitching performances from members of the Gaels staff, but the offense couldn't provide the insurance needed to notch either victory. 

GAME ONE: SMC 3 - Boise State 6
For the second time in this tournament, the Gaels squared off with the Boise State Broncos, this time at LaRue Field in Davis. Unlike the first matchup, the Gaels were able to strike first, after being blanked by Boise on Friday. The Gaels led at both 1-0 and 3-2 in this game, but a big third inning for the Broncos gave them a three run lead. The Gaels would hang up three straight goose eggs in the run column for Boise State, but couldn't score themselves, as the game ended in favor of the Broncos, 6-3. 

The scoring got started for the Gaels when they took advantage of a couple of Boise State miscues. Alex Cutonilli struck out but reached first on a passed ball, then advanced to second on another passed ball. Taylor Lane muscled a pitch out to right field to place runners at the corners with one away. As they so often did a season ago, the Gaels put Lane in motion, drawing a throw, and allowing Cutonilli to score from third, breaking the seal in the top of the first, 1-0 Gaels. 

A single and a home run in the bottom half of the first allowed Boise State to take their first lead at 2-1, where the scoreline stayed until the top of the third. With one out in top half of the third, Camille Lara was plunked, bringing Alex Cutonilli to the plate. Cutonilli promptly hammered a pitch over the right centerfield fence for the first Saint Mary's home run of the season, pushing the Gaels back ahead 3-2. Unfortunately for the Gaels, the first six runners reached base in the bottom half for the Broncos, scoring four of them, giving them a 6-3 lead that they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game.

Odhi Vasquez earned the start, but was chased without being able to record an out in the third in favor of freshman Ella Thurman. Thurman, who tossed two innings without allowing an earned run in her debut at Sacramento State, worked another brilliant gem, going the final four innings scoreless, surrendering just two hits and fanning two. 

Alex Cutonilli was responsible for every run for the Gaels in this one, scoring two and driving in two more with a two run blast. Taylor Lane logged her second two hit ball game in as many games, while Mia Zabat logged her first collegiate hit. For the fourth consecutive game, the Gaels had six hits. 

GAME TWO: SMC 1 - UC Davis 2
In an incredible pitcher's dual, the Aggies outlasted the Gaels, 2-1. Saint Mary's scored in the top of the first and held Davis off of the scoreboard until the bottom of the sixth, where they would flip the script with a two spot, before retiring the Gaels in the top of the seventh for their third victory of the tournament that they served as co-hosts of. 

The Gaels lone run was a direct result of back to back infield singles from Kiah Silva and Alex Cutonilli to open the game. Taylor Lane reached on a fielder's choice that eliminated Silva going second to third, and Jenavee Amador sent a ball out to deep right that allowed both Cutonilli and Lane to advance 60 feet, bringing Averie Prescott to the plate with two away. Prescott pulled one on the ground to third that was misplayed by the Aggie at the hot corner, plating Cutonilli for her third run of the doubleheader. 

Chelsea Bennett made her debut in the circle, and dazzled, hanging up five straight zeroes to start her junior campaign. Four times she stranded the tying run in scoring position. With one out in the sixth, however, Davis logged three straight hits to score the tying and go-ahead runs. The sixth inning ended with Bennett's career-high fifth strikeout, and Averie Prescott erasing an attempted base stealer, but the Gaels couldn't draw level in the seventh, and the game ended in favor of the Aggies 2-1.

Three of the Gaels six hits were of the extra base variety, including the first extra base hits in the careers of Kiah Silva (a triple) and Mia Zabat (a double). Silva added a single as well for her first multi-hit game, while Camille Lara went 2-3 for her first multi-hit game of the year. The Gaels finish out the NorCal Kickoff 1-4. 

UP NEXT
The Gaels will head south to Long Beach for the Wilson Tournament, where they will take on the likes of Kansas, Long Beach State, Cal, Southern Utah and Iowa State. The tournament will take place February 13 - 15. 

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