Final Stats

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The University of San Diego baseball team (12-10, 1-2 WCC) dropped their opening conference series on Sunday as the Saint Mary's Gaels (11-7, 2-1 WCC) took the rubber-game with a 9-1 win at Fowler Park.

The Toreros had a promising start to the afternoon as Riley Adams drove in the game's first run when he doubled home shortstop Bryson Brigman. It was Adams' team leading 10th double this season. The stand out sophomore also leads the Toreros in hits and total bases.

In the top of the second Saint Mary's pushed two runs across the plate to claim a lead that they would never surrender. San Diego starter Gary Cornish (1-1) completed 1 2/3 innings before being relieved. The senior allowed two runs and five hits while striking out two and picking up the loss. Cameron Neff (1-1) earned the win for the Gaels.

USD went on a four-inning hitless streak before a Ryan Kirby single in the sixth inning but the Gaels continued to be in the right place at the right time as Torero batters peppered the field with hard hit balls. Only six San Diego batters retired via strikeout while the Torero pitching staff sat down nine Saint Mary's hitters with strikes. Sean Barry led the way with five strikeouts in four scoreless innings of relief.

Nathan Kuchta, who managed three outs on eight pitches last night, ran into trouble in the eighth inning as the Gaels delivered five hits including two doubles and a home run on their way to putting the game out of reach. The Gaels added one run in the ninth to bring the lead to eight.

Brigman and Daniel Gardner each picked up two hits on the day while designated hitter Troy Conyers reached base in all three plate appearances with two walks and a hit-by-pitch.

The Toreros will travel to Arizona State for a game on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. before heading to Malibu Thursday to continue conference play against Pepperdine (9-10, 1-2 WCC). The Waves dropped two of three games this weekend in Spokane, Wash. to the Gonzaga Bulldogs (11-7, 2-1 WCC).