MORAGA, Calif. --- The Saint Mary's Gaels jumped out to an early lead before holding on for a 4-2 win over the Portland Pilots to open a three-game West Coast Conference series on Friday afternoon at Louis Guisto Field.
During one stretch, Portland pitchers Eli Morse and Christian Peters combined to retire 14 straight Gael batters, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome for the Pilots.
Saint Mary's (17-12, 4-3 WCC) scored three runs in the top of the first inning to take control of the game. All three runs came on a homer off the bat Kevin Milam, who sent a ball over the left field fence with runners on the corners.