Posted: Apr 16, 2021
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Five Saint Mary's players drove in a run including the go ahead RBI by Gavin Napier in the sixth to lift the Gaels to a 7-3 win over Santa Clara baseball to take the West Coast Conference series opener on Friday.
Kyle Velazquez, who went 3-for-4, and JC Santini each had two RBIs while Carlos Lomeli (3-4) threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings to finish the game and pick up the win.
Saint Mary's (15-16, 5-8) scored in each frame from the fourth to the seventh.
In the sixth, the Gaels put a runner at third with no outs taking advantage on a hit batsman and a passed ball, followed by a sacrifice bunt. Facing Broncos reliever Cole Kitchen, Napier singled to left field to plate Santini for the go ahead run. Kitchen (5-2) took the loss for the Broncos.
The Gaels tied the game in the previous inning at 3-all on Velazquez's two-RBI single with the bases loaded when Bronco starter Russell Grant and Kitchen issued walks to the first three hitters to open up the inning.
Saint Mary's added three insurance runs in the seventh on an RBI single by Nick Mistone and two-RBI double by Santini.
Santa Clara (12-18, 5-8) scored all its runs in the fifth on Jason Dicochea's three-run home run against starter Ryan Taurek to give Santa Clara a 3-1 lead.
Four of the eight hits by Saint Mary's came with runners in scoring position while the Broncos went just 1-for-9.
Dicochea reached base three times going 2-for-4 with a walk.
Justin Banks hit the other home run in the game, a solo shot in the fourth to get the scoring going for the Gaels.
NEXT UP
The Broncos and the Gaels play the second game of a three-game series on Saturday at 1 p.m. from Louis Guisto Field.
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