Feb. 7, 2006

Box Score

Moraga, CA- Opening day has not favored the Saint Mary's baseball team in the past. Tuesday's opener against Sacramento State proved to be much different as the Gaels amassed nine runs on 10 hits to earn a 9-3 victory and be 1-0 for first time since 1994. Junior Allan Lobban earned the victory while junior college transfer Eric Cattoni drove in three runs in his Saint Mary's debut.

With the score tied at three in the bottom of the seventh, the Gaels broke the game open putting up a three spot in consecutive innings. Senior Mike Harris tallied his lone RBI of the game with a fielder's choice that scored senior Delaney Gallagher. Cattoni then capped off his first start with a two-run single to right field that scored Harris and pinch runner Ryan Young.

Adding on to the 6-3 lead, senior Preston Young turned on a Mitch Lively pitch and cleared the fence inside the right field foul poll, driving in senior Sam Carter on the home run. Gallagher scored his second run of the game after touching home on a wild pitch by Lively.

"The kids had a mature approach at the plate and didn't give up any at-bats all game," head coach Jedd Soto said. "The pitching was outstanding only giving up three hits against a good Sacramento State squad."

Lobban shut the door for the Gaels after taking over for starter Joel Fountain in the last third of the sixth. The junior pitched 2 1/3 no-hit innings with a walk and a strikeout.

Saint Mary's scored in consecutive innings to take a 2-0 lead in the third. In his first at-bat as a Gael, Guymon drove in Young on a single to right field. In the third Gallagher tallied his first RBI of the season with a knock to left field that scored senior Orben Frederick.

Sacramento State evened the game at two in the top of the fourth. Buddy Morales got the Hornets on the board when he nailed a double to right-center that scored Pat Keiper. Jim Strombach tied the score with a single to center field that scored Morales.

Again the Hornets came back to even the score after the Gaels took 3-2 lead into the seventh. Montana Dye netted the score with one swing of the bat, hitting a solo-shot over the left field wall ending Fountain's strong season debut.

Fountain threw 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on three hits while striking out a career-high six in an impressive opening day start.

Cattoni led the way for SMC with a 2-for-5 day with three RBIs. Gallagher finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a RBI while Young provided the punch with a 2-for-4, two run, two RBI season debut.

"I am proud of our younger players who made their Saint Mary's debut. With Guymon getting his first RBI and Staples making a strong at-bat along with Cattoni's impressive day, our blend of old and new proved our strength in team chemistry," Soto said.

Saint Mary's will return to the diamond this weekend for a four-game series against the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The Gaels will open the series on Friday, February 10 at 2 p.m. from Louis Guisto Field.