March 27, 2004

Box Score

(Moraga, CA) - Just eight games into conference play San Diego fell six games behind division leader Loyola Marymount after losing to St. Mary's for the second time in as many days Saturday. The Gaels defeated the visiting Toreros by a score of 5-3 in game-two of a weekend series at Louis Guisto Field in Moraga. San Diego (12-16, 1-7) was held scoreless through eight innings before plating three runs and moving the tying run into scoring position, all with two outs, before St. Mary's (8-18, 3-2) managed to record the game's final out. The three-game series concludes Sunday at 1pm.

Gael starter Jordan Simo (5-3) was knocked around for 11 hits but pitched into the ninth to record the win. The St. Mary's defense registered five double plays, three to end USD innings. The Gaels jumped out to a 2-0 lead without using a hit to score. An RBI-sac fly in the second inning and a balk on Torero starter Aaron Wilson (5-2) in the fifth accounted for a two-run SMC advantage through six innings. Gael first baseman Delaney Gallagher extended the lead in the seventh on a two-RBI single to make the score 4-0.

Down 5-0 entering the ninth, San Diego mounted a game-threatening rally. Freddy Sandoval led off the ninth with a single. After Josh Hansen flew out, Jordan Abruzzo walked. DH Joe Wickman singled to load the bases and Joey Prast followed with an RBI-single that plated both Sandoval and Abruzzo. After Gael starter, Jordon Simo, retired Nate Boman on a fly ball to leftfield, Shane Buschini extended the inning and the game with a single that loaded the bases and ended Simo's outing.

Now trailing 5-2 with the bases loaded and two outs, Tom Caple drew his league leading 32nd walk off SMC reliever Michael Nisco. Wickman scored from third to pull USD within two runs. With the bases still loaded, freshman second baseman Keoni Ruth grounded the first pitch he saw from Nisco to Gael third baseman Bryan Bryne, ending the USD rally and the game. Nisco was credited with the save, his first.