STOCKTON, Calif. — Third time was the charm Thursday for top-seeded Saint Mary’s in its first trip to the postseason.
The Gaels got three clutch hits – two to tie the game and the last to win it – to walk off victorious in 11 innings over No. 4 seed Pepperdine, 8-7, in the opening game of the 2016 West Coast Conference Baseball Championship Tournament at Banner Island Ballpark.
“I was scared of the ‘just happy to be here’ feeling. I didn’t have it and I was hoping our guys didn’t have that, and I don’t think they did,” said Saint Mary’s head coach and WCC Coach of the Year Eric Valenzuela.