April 2, 2005
Box Score
Moraga, Calif. - LMU starter Stephen Kahn had a stretch between the second and fifth innings where he struck out nine of 12 batters he faced, but a three-run fifth inning was enough to give Saint Mary's the 5-3 game two win Saturday in Moraga. In a contest that saw the lead change back-and-forth, it was the Gaels' three-spot in the fifth that sealed the Lions' fate in the West Coast Conference match-up.
Saturday's game tied the weekend series at a game apiece, as the teams battle for positioning in the WCC's Coast Division standings.
Scoring in the first inning for the second straight game, the Lions got quick back-to-back singles by A.J. LaMonda and Chris Pettit off Gael starter Joel Fountain. James Cooper then drove LaMonda in on a fielder's choice for the first run of the game.
Kahn got out of a jam in the bottom of the first when the Gaels had runners on second and third with just one out after scoring an unearned run to tie the game at one. Kahn struck out Delaney Gallagher and Adam Bellows to strand the runners.
The two strikeouts started a dominating streak for Kahn, asthe Lions' right-hander struck out seven of nine batters through the third. The only Saint Mary's hit over that span was a home run by Mike Sansoe to leadoff the third inning and give the Gaels the 2-1 lead.
Another leadoff home run in the fifth tied the game at two, this time off the bat of LMU senior Jon Oller. With the shot, Oller moved into a tie for ninth all-time in career home runs in the LMU record book, matching Anthony Angel (1998-00) and Brian Leighton's (1983-84) 27 career mark.
But Saint Mary's took the one-run lead back when Stefan Foushee kept the home run derby going in the bottom of the fifth. The Gaels then added two more runs on two hits in the fifth to take a 5-2 lead.
Chris Pettit hit the fourth home run of the game and the third one to leadoff an inning, as his shot over the right field fence started the top of the sixth for the Lions. It was the team-leading fourth home run for the junior.
Sansoe led the Gaels with a 2-for-2 effort, scoring three runs and adding a RBI. Starter Joel Fountain improved to 3-4 after seven innings, while Chris Mezzavilla picked up his third save of the season.
Kahn (2-3) finished the day just one strikeout shy of his career high 10 after working seven innings and walking just two.
Pettit finished the day 2-for-4 to lead the Lions offensively.
The Lions and Gaels will wrap-up the three-game WCC series Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Freshman Brad Meyers is slated to get the start for the Lions and square off against SMC's Jordan Simo.
-GO LIONS-
