MORAGA, Calif. — Taking on the ninth ranked Florida State Seminoles (37-6), Saint Mary's (19-18) put up a valiant effort, limiting the ninth ranked scoring offense in the country to just three runs, ultimately falling 3-0. A combination of gritty pitching from
Mia Nishikawa and dazzling defense kept the Gaels in the game, even bringing the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, but the Seminoles were able to win the briskly played pitcher's duel.
Earning the start in this bigtime matchup was sophomore pitcher and defending WCC Pitcher of the Week, Mia Nishikawa. The Fresno native allowed three hits to the first three batters of the game, seeing two of them score, but dug deep to surrender just one run on four hits throughout the remainder of the contest, Nishikawa tied her career-high with six strikeouts, painting corners to the tune of four strikeouts looking. She received some help in the field, with Mia Zabat, Lindsay Cabral and Camille Lara all making web gem plays so as to limit the Noles to just one extra base hit.
Florida State's starter Jazzy Francik was perfect through three innings against the Gaels. Camille Lara broke up the no-no with one out in the bottom of the fourth with a bunt single. That was the only Gaels hit until the bottom of the seventh, when the Gaels needed three to extend the game and four to win it. The inning got started with back-to-back singles from Lara and Alex Cutonilli. Taylor Lane pinch hit and flared a ball out to right that was caught, and Victoria Castillo, also pinch hitting, bounced out to second, advancing both runners 60 feet. Jenavee Amador was the last batter to come to the plate, and battled against Fancik, but ultimately popped out to short to end the game.
Camille Lara went 2-3 at the plate to lead the offense. With her two hits, she tied Sam Buckley for the team lead with 41 hits, and owns a now nine game hit streak. Alex Cutonilli owned the only other Gael hit, bringing her total to 36 for the year, good for third, behind only Lara and Buckley. Cutonilli was the only Gael starter to not strikeout in a 12 strikeout performance by FSU.
The Gaels will next take on Cal for a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 15. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 1 PM at Cottrell Field.
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