BSB | Gaels Match Bluejays in Hits but Drop Season Opener 11-3

Friday, February 13

Moraga, CA

2:00 PM

Saint Mary's College of California

0-1

Creighton

1-0

Creighton

Saint Mary's

#38 Ian Armstrong: 2-4, Solo-HR (1), 1 R in game one vs. Creighton

BSB | Gaels Match Bluejays in Hits but Drop Season Opener 11-3

2/13/2026 8:02:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

MORAGA, Calif. - Saint Mary's kicked off their 2026 campaign at home Friday afternoon and fell to Big East member Creighton 11-3. Senior right hander John Damozonio struck out a game high four batters but got credit for the loss after allowing four runs over three innings of work.

The Gaels made it a four-run ballgame with a pair of runs in the sixth inning, including a solo home run from sophomore catcher Ian Armstrong, but a five-run fifth for the Bluejays would put the game out of reach for good. Ian Armstrong and Brady Petit led the Gaels with two hits each while newcomers Dario Freschi and Nick Allred each had a hit for their first in a Gaels uniform.

The weekend series will conclude on Saturday, February 14th with a doubleheader starting at 10:00 AM. Both games can be streamed live on ESPN+.

HOW IT HAPPENED

John Damozonio returned as one of the more veteran arms for the Gaels and got the opening day start against Creighton. Although he recorded a game high four strikeouts, Damozonio struggled to locate early on and finished his three innings of work with three hit batters and a walk. The Bluejays jumped out to a 4-0 lead after three and then tacked on two more in the sixth thanks to a two-out two-RBI single from Ben North.

Saint Mary's was matching Creighton with hits in the ballgame and finally cashed in with runners in scoring position in the bottom half of the sixth. Ian Armstrong provided the first run of the 2026 season with a solo home run to left center field, 414 feet and 105 MPH off the bat. Makoa Sniffen rifled a single to left field the very next at bat to force the Bluejays starter out of the game. After Sniffen advanced to second on a passed ball, Brady Petit singled to center field to put the Gaels within four.

Creighton regained control of the game though with a five-spot in the seventh inning, recording back-to-back RBI singles with the bases loaded to extend their lead to 11-2. Saint Mary's loaded the bases in the ninth and scored off a passed ball for their third run of the game, but Anthony Unga struck out Brett Williams to end the game and seal the opening day victory for the Bluejays.

GAME NOTES

John Damozonio recorded a game high four strikeouts in his three innings of work in his first start of the year
Saint Mary's matched Creighton with ten hits in the ballgame
Ian Armstrong and Brady Petit led the Gaels with two hits each
Eight different Gaels recorded a hit in the ballgame
Ian Armstrong his his first home run of the 2026 season and his sixth of his collegiate career
Six different players made their SMC debut
Cuesta JC transfer Jacob Johnson and SF State transfer Nick Allred each got their first start in a Gaels uniform; Johnson at third and Allred in left
Dario Freschi and Nick Allred each recorded their first hits as a Gael; Allred a single in the second inning and Freschi with a pinch-hit double in the ninth
True freshman Joseph Moreno made his collegiate debut and threw two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and recording one strikeout

LOOKING AHEAD

Saint Mary's falls to 0-1 on the season after their opening day defeat to Creighton, 11-3 on Friday, February 13th. The Gaels will finish off the weekend series with a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 10:00 AM. Both games can be streamed live on ESPN+ and tickets can be bought online at smcgaels.com/tickets.

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