ST. GEORGE, Utah - The Saints' late innings rally fell short 7-3 as Saint Martin's opened the 2017 season against California State University Los Angeles.

The Saints (0-1) took an early lead in the second inning after Adam Eskil lead-off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Eskil scored later in the inning on a groundout to second by Trevor Young.

The Golden Eagles (7-2) responded with two runs in the next inning and expanded their lead with a five run fourth inning. With the base loaded, two-outs in the fifth, clean-up hitter Andrew Hermanson laced a ball in the left-center gap, scoring two runs and increasing Cal State LA's lead to 7-1 after five.

SMU added a run in the bottom of the sixth after Austin Feist walked, advanced to second a fielding error and later scored on a double-play ball by Brandon Witherspoon.

Lead-off man Alec Hagerman started off the eighth with a double down the left field foul line. Feist later in the inning singled to through the right side. With runners on the corner, Eskil drove in Hagerman on a sacrifice fly to centerfield to cut the score to 7-3; however, the Golden Eagles held on for the victory.

Aaron Shoup (0-1) got the opening day start for the Saints, going 3.2 innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits, walking four and striking three. SMU's bullpen kept them in the game throwing a combined 5.1 innings, allowing no runs on four hits, walking none and striking out two. Luke Hare threw 1.1 innings before Zach Stevenson pitched 2.0 innings and Benjamin Wadowski and Trevor Young each threw one inning.

Hagerman finished the game 3-for-5 with one run scored while Feist was 2-for-4 with one run and walk. Shaan Kothari, Makana Aiona, Micah McNicoll and Isaac Hegamin all contributed one hit each.

As a team SMU finished with three runs on 10 hits, three walks and striking out six times.