ST. GEORGE, Utah. - Saint Mary's nearly overcame a nine-run deficit, scoring seven runs over the final four innings, but fell 10-8 to Utah Tech in game two of their three-game series. The Gaels flipped the script in the second half of the game, holding the Trailblazers scoreless over the final four innings.
Rees Kent had a two-RBI single to make it a two-run ballgame, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate in
Justin Heffler. Heffler would bounce a ball to short though as Utah Tech went the short way to end the threat and hang on for the wild 10-8 victory.
Donovan Chriss made his fourth start but gave up ten hits in 3.2 innings for his first loss of the season.
Garret Plata was great in relief, throwing 2.1 scoreless innings to help keep the Gaels within striking distance.
Cody Kashimoto and
Diego Castellanos had two hits each for Saint Mary's and
Jared Mettam led the way with two RBI.
8TH INNING
With the game heading in the wrong direction, freshman
Brady Petit would make the most of his pinch-hit opportunity in the eighth with a leadoff double. The next two batters would get on for Saint Mary's, loading the bases and creating the potential for a big inning to get back into the game.
Fellow freshman
Makoa Sniffen would come to the dish and work a tough seven-pitch walk to score Petit from third for his first career RBI. Two batters later,
Justin Heffler would record a sac fly to score
Diego Castellanos and make it a five-run game.
Cody Kashimoto would complete the three-run inning with an RBI single into center to score pinch runner
Colin Linteo, making it 10-6 Utah Tech with an inning to play.
9TH INNING
The rally would continue into the ninth for the Gaels as a pair of singles and a walk would load the bases with one out for the second consecutive inning. Down 0-2,
Rees Kent would rifle a single into center to score two runs and make it a two-run game. Kent came in to pinch hit for
Hayden Driggs in the inning and cashed in with his first hit and RBI of the season.
Heffler would come to the dish for the second straight inning and represent the go-ahead run with two outs. Utah Tech would go to the bullpen seeking one out to end the game and they would get that out from Ryan Kroepel. Kroepel induced a ground ball from Heffler that allowed the shortstop to go the easy way at second and hang on for the 10-8 victory.
LOOKING AHEAD
Saint Mary's falls to 9-7 after their game two defeat to Utah Tech. They will conclude their three-game series tomorrow afternoon at 11:00 AM pacific time. Live stats can be found at smcgaels.com and you can stream the game live on WAC International.
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