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USD vs SMC BOX April 14

FOWLER PARK â€" The USD Toreros dropped a hard-fought 6-5 decision to the visiting Saint Mary's Gaels to see their 4-game win streak snapped. These two teams will meet up for the rubber game on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. with LHP Nick Sprengel taking the mound for the Toreros.

The Gaels got on the scoreboard first in the 2nd inning against Torero starter Chris Murphy. Conor Thane singled to knock in Kevin Milam who had opened the inning with a double.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the third, Daniel Gardner raced to right center and made a fantastic diving catch to rob Eddie Haus of extra bases and keep the score at 1-0 Gaels. The Toreros (17-18, 7-7 WCC) tied the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the 4th. Jay Schuyler opened the inning with a walk and would eventually score from third on Brhet Bewley's fielder's choice. On the play Schuyler escaped a run down between third and home.

In the 5th inning the Toreros loaded the bases before Shane McGuire's groundout to first plated Dante Gutierrez who opened the inning with a double. Paul Kunst followed by scoring on a wild pitch from Milam to make it 3-1.

In the 6th inning the Gaels (18-15, 7-7 WCC) opened with single, double, single on their way to a 5-run inning on five hits. Jackson Thoreson had the key hit for the Gaels with a two-run double to right field. In the top of the 8th the Gaels had runners on first and second with one out and Travis Kuhn replaced Anthony Donatella and with one pitch got Brett Rasso to hit into an inning ending double play. Kuhn gave up two hits in the top of the 9th but did a solid job in not surrendering a run.

SMC closer Michael Hobbs came in in the bottom of the 9th. Dante Gutierrez laced his second pitch to left field for a single. Paul Kunst reached on a fielder's choice and Adam Kerner, who was pinch running for Gutierrez, was out at second. Tora Otsuka, already with three hits on the night, came to the plate and he hit his hardest ball of the night â€" a line shot to right center. Jacob Talamante, who had just entered the game in the 9th as a pinch runner, made a great play to catch Otsuka's line drive and he then doubled Kunst off at first base to end the game.

Otsuka finished 3-for-4 with one run scored. Jay Schuyler was 1-for-2 with one run, two walks and two RBIs. DH Dante Gutierrez also had a good night going 2-for-4. Starter Chris Murphy (4-3) took the loss, with Anthony Donatella (1.2 innings, 0 runs) and Travis Kuhn (1.2 innings, 0 runs) both providing solid relief. For Saint Mary's four different players collected two hits. Michael Hobbs picked up his 9th save of the season allowing just one hit in the 9th inning. Starter and DH Kevin Milam improved to 5-2 on the mound and he went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

First pitch for Sunday's finale is scheduled for 1:00 pm.