Box Score
TUCSON, Ariz.- The Arizona baseball team dropped its second straight game, an 8-4 decision, to St. Mary's College Wednesday afternoon. The Wildcats (5-4) had scoring opportunities in the seventh and eighth innings, but failed in each attempt to cut into the St. Mary's lead allowing the Gaels (2-1) to take the series 2-1. St. Mary's starter J.G. Larochette picked up the victory surrendering three runs on four hits in five innings pitched.
Although outhitting the Gaels 11-to-10, the Wildcats could not come up with a hit with runners in scoring position late in the game.
Down 5-3 in the seventh, the Wildcats loaded the bases with one out on singles by Ken Riley, Matt Abram and Justyn St. Clair, but SMC reliever Kevin Trochez got Shelley Duncan to pop out to first base and Ernie Durazo to line out to center to end the inning and the threat.
After a solo home run by St. Mary's Tim Spooner in the top of the eighth made the score 6-3, the Wildcats looked to gain back ground with back-to-back singles by Erik Torres and Kenny Huff to lead off the home half of the eighth. A wild pitch by Trochez advanced the runners to second and third with no outs, but the Wildcats would once again come up short as they failed to advance either player home.
Sophomore Matt Abram turned in another solid offensive performance for the Cats pairing hits and notching his third home run in as many days. Junior Kenny Huff and senior Erik Torres each collected a pair of hits for UA in the loss.
Sean Rierson (0-2) picked up his second defeat of the season for Arizona. The freshman right-hander surrendered five runs, only two of which were earned, in 4.1 innings.
SMC's Matt VanCoutren, James Gaulke and Spooner all hit home runs for the Gaels.
The Wildcats return to action on Friday when 22nd-ranked Long Beach State comes to town for a three game set at Sancet Field. First pitch for is scheduled for 3 p.m.
