May 6, 2008

Box Score

Moraga, CA - A five run top of the seventh was the difference, spoiling a beautiful pitching performance, as Saint Mary's (22-23-1) falls to San Jose State (26-20) by a final score of 7-5 in the 2008 season finale at Louis Guisto Field.

Saint Mary's appeared to be in control as Taylor Reid (2-2) breezed through five innings, before the Spartans scored their first run in the bottom of the sixth following a double from Sonny Garza to score Corey Valine.

Unfortunately the wheels fell off in the top of the seventh when a fielder's choice from Valine extended the inning; two batters later Garza laced a double to right center field knocking in two. When the inning finally ended the Spartans tallied five runs to take the lead 6-5. On the afternoon, Reid went 6.2 innings, surrendering 10 hits, 6 runs, all earned, with two walks and a strike out.

The Gaels jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first when a double from Joel Staples scored Kenny Fuglerud who led off the inning drawing a four pitch walk.

A four run fifth inning ended Spartans starter Max Peterson who had settled for a pitchers duel. Staples opened up the inning with a lead off double down the right field line; it was his second double of the afternoon and 12th on the season. A single through the right side from Kyle Jensen advanced Staples to third. Justin Fazio followed Jensen and singled up the middle scoring Staples and Jensen. Fazio scored following a bunt single from Scott Schneider, and a single from Brian Hawkins scored Schneider for four runs off seven hits.

Earning the win for the Spartans was relief pitcher Christopher McNeil (2-0) who came in for the Spartans in the fifth inning for Peterson and ended the Gaels threat. On the afternoon McNeil went 3.1 innings, scattering four hits, giving up no runs, with no walks and struck out three.

Kenny Fuglerud extended his hit streak to six games going 1-for-4 with a run scored, as well as making a spectacular play in right field gunning down a would be runner at home to end the top of the eighth.. Staples is heating up going 3-for-5 with two doubles a run scored and an RBI. Kyle Jensen continues his superb season going 3-for-5 with three singles with a run

Ryan Mulligan went 2-for-3 with two singles, and Scott Schneider went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles and a run scored.

The Gaels will return to action tomorrow as they head to San Francisco to take on the Dons as Benedetti Diamond for a 3:00 PM game.