STOCKTON, Calif. — Twice today that Gaels (19-16, 2-0 WCC) fell into an early hole to the Pacific Tigers (11-22, 0-2 WCC) and twice, the Gaels offense battled back from those early deficits to pick up the doubleheader sweep on day one of WCC play. The Gaels mustered 26 runs in the twin bill, erasing deficits of two and four runs in games one and two respectively, picking up where they left off last season, winning the WCC for the first time in program history.
GAME ONE: SMC 12 - PAC 2 (6 Inn.)
Pacific opened this game with a bang, a two run blast off the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning off of Mia Nishikawa, who hadn't given up a run since the fifth inning of the Gaels win over Utah State two weeks ago. Nishikawa, however, would allow this to light a fire under her, surrendering just two hits and no runs throughout the remainder of the game, giving her offense plenty of time to rally.
After being held scoreless for the first two by Tigers ace Justice Alcaraz, the Saint Mary's offense hung up a crooked number in the third, striking for seven runs, including three home runs to take a commanding lead. Sam Buckley was plunked to open the inning followed by a perfectly placed bunt single from Camille Lara. Braxton Brown would ground out but advanced both Buckley and Lara 60 feet before Alex Cutonilli would smash a three run home run over the left field foul pole, pushing the Gaels ahead 3-2. The offense wasn't done there, however. Jenavee Amador would go back-to-back with Cutonilli to make it 4-2, Kiah Silva would triple to right center for her conference leading fourth triple of the season, and Lindsay Cabral would single Silva home making it 5-2. The Cabral knock would chase Alcaraz from the game, but the bullpen had just as little success, as Mia Zabat rudely greeted reliever Desiree Smith hit her first collegiate home run to bring the score to 7-2.
Sam Buckley would double with one out in the top of the fifth before being advanced to third on a Camille Lara sacrifice bunt, and scored on a wild pitch to make it 8-2. Then, in the top of the sixth, Jenavee Amador led of the frame with a double to the right center gap. Julia Medina would run for her, and was sacrifice over to third by Kiah Silva. Lindsay Cabral would log her second RBI hit of the day, this time laying down a perfect bunt, playing Medina. Mia Zabat would double, and the Gaels would opt for a pinch hitter, as Isabella Scolini would make her collegiate debut, smacking a single to the opposite field, scoring both Cabral and Zabat and putting the Gaels in run rule territory. Saint Mary's would score one more in the sixth on an error, and Nishikawa would work a 1-2-3 inning to end things in the sixth with a 12-2 scoreline.
Sparked by her first collegiate home run, Mia Zabat logged her second collegiate three hit ball game, finishing just a triple shy of the cycle. Camille Lara joined her in three hit land, as the duo combined to go 6-for-8 at the plate. Mia Nishikawa has now picked up three wins in her last three outings, moving to 6-5 on the season.
GAME TWO: SMC 14 - PAC 8
In game two, the deficit was a bit bigger to overcome, but the Gaels offense remained steadfast in their resolve, erasing a four run deficit for an eventual six run win. Pacific jumped out to a 3-0 lead, using a pair of singles and a pair of doubles to plate their first three against freshman Ella Thurman in the circle. After having their first six set down in order, the Gaels came storming back in the top of the third. Lindsay Cabral led off the inning with a walk and was pinch run for by Aryanna Gonzales. With one out, Tori Cervantes worked a walk, and Sam Buckley laced a single through the left side, however, Gonzales was thrown out trying to score from second, keeping the shutout hopes alive for Pacific. That lasted just one more batter, as Camille Lara slapped a single back up the middle, scoring Buckley and Cervantes, and Braxton Brown would mash a home run to left, scoring two more and giving Saint Mary's their first lead of game two.
Thurman would pick up the first two outs of the third, but surrendered three two out runs before being relieved by Chelsea Bennett. Bennett walked in two more of the inherited runs before eventually retiring the side. Now down four through the three, the Gaels needed to keep the offense rolling. They left two on in the top of the fourth, and Bennett allowed the first two runners to reach in the fourth before giving way to Avrey Wolverton. Wolverton was lights out for the remainder of the contest, surrendering just two hits and no runs throughout the final four innings, and fanning five, and got the run support she needed to pick up her third victory of the year.
On the back of a solid inning from Wolverton in the fourth, the Gaels struck for six in the top of the fifth to move back in front. With one out, Braxton Brown singled and was pinch run for by Julia Medina. This was followed by three straight doubles from Alex Cutonilli, Jenavee Amador and Kiah Silva, scoring Medina and Silva to put the Gaels within two. Taylor Lane would get a pinch hit appearance, and would single Amador home, bringing the score to 8-7, and with two outs, Tori Cervantes provided the biggest hit of the game, a three run blast to move Saint Mary's out in front 10-8. Insurance came in the sixth, first in the form a of two RBI fielder's choice off the bat of Jenavee Amador, then with an RBI double from Taylor Lane, who remained in the game after her pinch hit appearance an inning prior, and finally, from Tori Cervantes again, with an RBI single. Wolverton slammed the door shut in the sixth and seventh, finishing off the doubleheader sweep for the Gaels.
Tori Cervantes had a perfect day at the plate, going 3-3 with a home run and four RBI, including the go-ahead blast in the fifth. Jenavee Amador also drove in four for the Gaels as Cervantes and Amador combined to drive in eight of the 14 SMC runs. After a 1-5 start in the circle this year, Avrey Wolverton has now picked up wins in two of her last three appearances, tossing four scoreless innings of relief against Weber State and her four scoreless innings of relief today against the Tigers.
The Gaels will close out their series with the Tigers tomorrow with a single game. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
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