TURLOCK, Calif. – Saint Martin's exploded for five runs in the fourth inning, and behind another strong outing by Brandi Schoessler, the Saints finished off the Tournament of Champions with an 8-4 win over Cal State San Marcos.
 
Devyn Connolly and Lauren Diuco capped off an impressive tournament with two more hits and three more RBIs today. Eight different Saints' hitters picked up at least one hit in the Saints' 10 hit, eight run performance. Schoessler earned her 12th victory of the season with her 5.1 innings of relief, allowing only two runs and striking out five.
 
"We fought back from a 2-0 deficit today as our bats came alive with a few key base hits," said head coach Jim Peterson. "Brandi pitched well again and ended the weekend with a 3-0 record. Devyn and LD (Diuco) lead our team on hitting this weekend and came up with timely hits with runners on base."
 
San Marcos scored the first runs of the game, driving in two on a double to center in the first. It wouldn't be until the fifth when they add more damage.
 
The Saints meanwhile were able to tie and take the lead in the fourth inning. Kylie Vanderbout reached on an error, which scored Kylie Lopez from second base. Then Diuco doubled to third base to score two more runs. Connolly followed it up with a double up the middle to add one more run and a 5-2 lead.
 
Cal State San Marcos managed to trim the lead to 5-4 in the top of the fifth, but the Saints responded right back. In the bottom half of the inning, Trinity Favela's single drove in the first run of the frame. Emily Thornton and Norwood each added RBI singles to help extend the lead to 8-4 and seal the victory.
 
Saint Martin's returns to GNAC action next weekend with home doubleheaders against Western Washington and Simon Fraser. Action is set to begin against WWU on Saturday, April 6 at 1:00 p.m. with live stats and video available on smusaints.com.