SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – After falling behind by five runs in the third inning, the Saints chipped away at the lead with three runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh. With the tying run on-base, the game ended with a rare pick-off as CSU San Bernardino escaped with a 7-6 victory over Saint Martin's.
 
A five run third inning padded the Coyotes pitching staff as they held the Saints' offense in check for the first five innings. Aaron Renaud got SMU on the board with an RBI single, followed by a Micah McNicoll bases-loaded walk and Cody Chavis' sac-fly in the sixth. CSUSB responded with two insurances run in the bottom of the sixth, which came in handy for the end of the game. Renaud drove in another run on a groundout, before Colton Peha singled and scored two more runs to pull SMU within one. Tying run on-base, and the go-ahead run at the plate, McNicoll never got a chance to do damage, as Peha was picked off and the game was over.
 
The Coyotes struck what looked like a fatal blow in the third inning, scoring five runs on two singles, a walk, and two wild pitches, all with two outs.
 
Saint Martin's bats took some time once again to find some offense, going five innings without a run. However, Renaud came through with a bases-loaded single up the middle to keep the bases packed. McNicoll then forced a walk, which brought home Isaac Hegamin. Chavis was called on to pinch-hit, and the freshman delivered with a sac-fly to centerfield, and the lead was down to 5-3.
 
San Bernardino responded in the bottom half of the inning after a single and throwing error by the Saints allowed the first run to score. Later in the sixth, with the bases loaded, a pass ball gave up another run and CSUSB's lead extended to 7-3.
 
In the seventh and final inning, the Saints began to mount a comeback attempt. Pinch-hitter Hunter Holmason led off with a single, but was followed by a strikeout. Hegamin was then hit by a pitch, and Austin Feist walked to load the bases with one out. A ground ball nearly ended the game; however, CSUSB was only able to get one, and a run scored on the play. Then Peha found a gap in the infield, singling to right field, scoring both Feist and Hegamin. The Coyotes managed to catch Peha off guard at first and the pick off stunted the comeback at 7-6.
 
Hegamin ended the game going 2-for-3, while five different Saints recorded one hit each. McNicoll recorded the only extra base hit in the game, with a double in the second inning. Clark Streby (0-1) picked up the loss, after going three innings, allowing five runs; however, none of the runs were earned. Mickey Walker returned to the field, tossing two innings in relief, and punched out five batters. Robbie Shineman got one out in the sixth, but allowed one run, and Ryan Dorney finished out the game with two strikeouts.
 
The Saints return to action tomorrow with a game against Dixie State at noon. Live stats will be available at smusaints.com.