MORAGA, Calif. - Saint Mary's secured a walk-off win when Christopher Campos was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to give the Gaels a 3-2 victory over Santa Clara baseball in the nonconference series opener between the two West Coast Conference schools on Friday afternoon.

 

After the Broncos (15-30, 8-19) rallied for two runs in the top of the ninth to tie the game at 2-all, the Gaels (24-24, 11-16) answered in the home half of the inning.

 

Facing reliever Freddie Erlandson, Saint Mary's loaded the bases on a Jacob Talamante single, a Bronco error and a fielder's choice on a bunt attempt.  Campos came to at-bat with no out and took a pitch in the back to push Talamante across for the game-winning run.

 

Saint Mary's starting pitcher Carlos Lomeli was in control for much of the game shutting out the Broncos through the first eight frames.  However, trailing 2-0 in the ninth, Santa Clara strung together three straight singles with one out, the last one by Tony Boetto to drive home Jason Dicochea to cut the lead to 2-1.

 

With Lomeli still in the game and runners at the corners, John Hanley came through with an RBI sacrifice fly to tie the game at 2-all.  The Gaels right-hander threw 105 pitches in the game and finished out the inning.  

 

Lomeli (5-6) gave up two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five over nine innings to pick up the win.

 

The Broncos got a strong pitching performance by committee with starter Brandon Buckley and relievers Skyler Hales and Russell Grant II tossing two scoreless innings each.

 

In a scoreless game in the seventh, Talamante led off with a double off Erlandson who came in relief to start the inning.  Two batters later, the left-handed hitting Justin Banks sent the 1-0 pitch to the opposite field to put up the first runs of the game.  For Banks, it was his 11th home run of the season.

 

Erlandson (0-7) gave up all three runs to take the loss.

 

Talamante went 3-for-4 and scored twice.

 

Dicochea and Boetto each went 2-for-3.  Boetto also threw out two base stealers in the seventh inning.  

 

The series will continue with a doubleheader on Saturday from Stephen Schott Stadium, starting at 1 p.m.  The second game will start approximately 40 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.  With the two schools having faced each other earlier in the season as part of the WCC schedule, this weekend's four game series is counted as nonconference games that will not affect the league standings.  

 

Except for family members of Santa Clara student-athletes, fans will not be permitted in Stephen Schott Stadium. The university will continue to evaluate policies for access to events. While the state of California announced guidance for outdoor seated venues on April 1, the university reserves the right to be more cautious than public health guidance.