SALEM, Ore. – The Saints got into early deficits against Western Oregon, and were unable to fight their way back, as they lost both ends of a doubleheader, 10-3, and 9-3, down in a neutral site location to begin GNAC action.
The Saints (1-9, 0-2) fell behind 6-0 in both games to Western Oregon (2-7, 2-0), meanwhile, the offense struggled to put together hits and drive in the necessary runs to get SMU back into the games. The game was held at the Volcanoes Stadium, a minor league park, as the Saints' home field was unplayable.
The Wolves score two runs in the top of the first, adding one on a RBI single through the right side, followed by a bases-loaded walk. The score remained 2-0 until the fourth inning when Western Oregon broke open the score, adding four, highlighted by a three-run home run to center field.
The Saints responded in the bottom of the fourth when Trevor Hirano singled to center field, scoring both
Micah McNicoll and
Ryan Colvin, trimming the score to 6-2. SMU's final run of the game came in the fifth off a RBI groundout by Colvin, plating
Austin Feist.
WOU sealed the victory by adding four more insurance runs, three in the seventh and one in the eighth, clinching the 10-3 victory.
Aaron Shoup (0-3) pitched 3.2 innings, allowing six runs, all earned on 12 hits, with four walks and no strikeouts.
Matthew Dunaway and
Robbie Shineman both threw 2.2 innings of relief, allowing four runs, only two earned, while punching out two.
In the second game, the Wolves got on the board first with a solo shot to center field in the second inning. Two more runs came in the third inning on a RBI single, followed by an RBI groundout. In the fifth, a RBI single, then a two-run home run put Western Oregon on top 6-0.
The Saints rallied in the bottom half of the fifth, first scoring on a
Ryne Oshiro single. With runners on the corners, the Saints performed a double-steal, resulting in a throwing error by WOU, allowing Hirano to score. Oshiro later came around to score on a wild pitch, trimming the lead to 6-3 after five.
However, Western Oregon added three more runs in the seventh inning, two coming on a home run to left, to seal the 9-3 victory.
Mickey Walker (0-3) picked up the loss after throwing six innings in the seven inning game. Walker allowed six runs, all earned , on seven hits, walking none and striking out six.
Tanner Inouye and
Zach Stevenson pitched the final inning of relief.
The Saints and the Wolves will finalize the four-game series back in the state of Washington on Sunday in Lynnwood, Washington. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and live stats of the games will be available on smusaints.com.
