Baseball

No. 1 San Diego Fends Off No. 3 Saint Mary's In 14 Innings

The Toreros forced the if-necessary game

LAS VEGAS - In a wild game, No. 1 seed San Diego overcame a seven-run deficit with a nine-run rally in the seventh inning and eventually defeated No. 3 Saint Mary’s, 16-13, in 14 innings to force an if-necessary game in the 2025 West Coast Conference Baseball Tournament from Las Vegas Ballpark on Saturday.
 
The Gaels wasted no time taking control of the game in the top of the first with a four-run rally thanks in part to two USD errors. Ryan Pierce slapped a two-run single to center followed by Jared Mettam lacing a two-run double to left-center, making it 4-0 Saint Mary’s.
 
After the Gaels and Toreros traded runs in the second, Austin Smith got the Toreros a little closer with an RBI single to right, cutting the Gaels’ lead to 6-2 before an RBI fielder’s choice by Rex Watson further cut in the SMC lead at 6-3.
 
In the top of the seventh, with the score 7-3, Gaels, Eddie Madrigal broke the game open with a three-run double to right, clearing the bases and making it 10-3, Saint Mary’s.

With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, USD took advantage of pitching command issues by Saint Mary’s and posted nine-run two-out rally and took a 12-10 lead. With the bases loaded, the Toreros plated three thanks to a walk, a hit batter and another walk. The Toreros tied it up next when Vincent Venverloh laced a bases-clearing double to right-center, tying the game at 10. Back-to-back singles up the middle plated two more USD runners to give the Toreros a two-run lead.
 
Down to their last out in the top of the ninth, Madrigal came through for the Gaels a delivered a game-tying two-run triple to send the game into extra innings.
 
The teams matched each other with runs in the 12th. Taurek singled home Madrigal allowing the Gaels to take a one-run lead into the bottom half of the inning. USD tied the game once again thanks to an infield RBI single by Jayden Lobliner that brought home Isaiah Lane.

In the bottom of the 14th, Aden Howard ended the game with a three-run home run to left to send the Toreros celebrating at home plate, extending their season.