SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The Toreros (11-9, 0-1 WCC) opened conference play with a 9-0 loss to the Saint Mary's Gaels (10-6, 1-0 WCC) on Friday night at Fowler Park. The University of San Diego offence was unable to get started as Gaels right-hander Corbin Burnes (3-0, 2.23 ERA) carried a no-hitter through 8 2/3 innings.

Jeff Houghtby broke up the no-hitter with a double that landed on the warning track in right field with two out in the bottom of the ninth. Bryson Brigman followed with a single but Burnes shut the door on the Toreros with a strike out to finish the game. USD battled at the plate all night, only striking out four times while testing the defense all over the field.

Freshman Nick Sprengel (2-3, 7.36 ERA) got the start for the Toreros going five innings and striking out eight batters. The southpaw ran into trouble in the second inning after allowing a three-run homerun to Anthony Gonsolin but rebounded to end the inning with a swinging strike out and a pop up to right field. The Gaels scratched across four more runs over the next three innings before the Torero starter exited the game

Paul Richan allowed two earned runs over two innings of relief while striking out three. Matthew Kirk closed out the game for USD giving up only one hit through the final two innings.

The Toreros will look to bounce back in game two of the three game WCC set tomorrow at 6 p.m. in the friendly confines of Fowler Park. Troy Conyers (2-2, 3.18 ERA) will take the mound against Gaels' left-hander Johnny York (2-1, 3.00 ERA).