The Gaels entered the Los Angeles Regional with high hopes, only to watch their momentum evaporate in a 14‑1 defeat at the hands of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The loss, which saw the Mustangs explode for six runs in the fourth inning and add five more in the sixth, left Saint Mary's scrambling to regroup before their next test.
Elimination Game Looms Sunday
Sunday’s showdown at Jackie Robinson Stadium will pit the Gaels against UCLA in a winner‑take‑all contest scheduled for 1 p.m. The victor will earn a berth in the regional final, where Cal Poly awaits, making the stakes as high as the summer heat.
Cal Poly’s offensive onslaught was anchored by catcher Ryan Tayman, who collected three hits, including a home run, and drove in three runs. Former Serra High standout Jake Downing contributed two RBIs, while Jacob Johnson managed the only run for Saint Mary's with an RBI single in the second inning.
With the Gaels’ season hanging in the balance, the team hopes to channel the resilience that carried them past earlier rounds. A victory would not only avenge the earlier loss but also set up a rematch with Cal Poly, a team that has already demonstrated its capacity to dominate the regional bracket.