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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
