SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - No. 5 seed Saint Mary's overcame some early errors thanks to a nine-run eighth inning and beat No. 4 Pepperdine, 9-2, in the first round of the 2026 West Coast Conference Baseball Tournament from Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Ariz. 

With the win, the Gaels will play No. 1 Gonzaga on Thursday at 2 p.m.

SMC erupted for nine runs in the top of the eighth. Diego Castellanos started the rally with a double down the left field line. Makoa Sniffen singled him home, cutting the Pepperdine lead to 2-1. Ian Armstrong kep the rally going with a double to right-center, putting two runners in scoring position with nobody out. Jacob Johnson followed suit with the big knock of the inning, a two-run triple to centerfield, giving the Gaels a 3-2 lead. Jared Mettam knocked in Johnson with another double to right-center, making it 4-2. Castellanos' inning wasn't finished yet as he came up to bat again in the inning and knocked in two more with a two-run single. Sniffen dropped in a bloop single that allowed two more runs to score as Castellanos came all the way around from first to score on the single. A wild pitch allowed the ninth run to cross the plate. 

Casey Euper quieted the Saint Mary's offense for most of the night. He went five and two-thirds, striking out three on three hits and five walks.

The Waves took an early lead In the bottom of the second after a Saint Mary's error allowed Trey Dunn to advance from first base to third. He later scored on a sacrifice fly to make it 1-0 Pepperdine. 

In the bottom of the fifth, James Dell'Amico scored on a triple by Max Aude after he reached on a throwing error to increase the Waves' lead to 2-0.

John Damozonio was very good for the Gaels, as well. He didn't allow an earned run in six innings of work. He struck out seven on two hits and no walks. Lukas Sarantos earned the win for the Gaels after pitching the final three frames. He allowed four hits, no walks and struck out three Waves.