MORAGA, Calif.—San Diego overcame an early deficit to defeat Saint Mary's 8-5 in the series finale on Sunday afternoon in Moraga, Calif.
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The Toreros (26-19, 10-11 WCC) trailed 5-2 heading into the fifth inning. With the bases loaded,
Tora Otsuka hit a bases-clearing double to tie the game and USD took the lead one inning later when
Ripken Reyes hit an RBI double down the left field line.Â
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San Diego added insurance runs in the top of the eighth on a 2-RBI single by
Shane McGuire and the Torero bullpen pitched six shutout innings down the stretch to secure the victory for USD.
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Josh Hendrickson (4-1) carried the majority of the load for the Toreros on the mound, pitching 4.2 innings after coming in midway through the third inning. Hendrickson limited the Gaels (25-17, 10-8 WCC) to two hits, not allowing a walk and striking out three for his fourth win of the season.
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Chris Murphy made a rare appearance in relief, pitching the final two innings and allowing one hit with two walks and five strikeouts to earn the save.
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McGuire paced the Toreros offensively, finishing 2-for-5 with a run and two RBIs. Reyes, Otsuka and
Cody Jefferis all recorded doubles in the contest, and Jefferis and
Chris McCready each finished 2-for-4 with one run.Â
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Without a midweek game, the Toreros will next travel to Santa Clara for a weekend series with the Broncos beginning Friday at 6 p.m. PT.
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