TACOMA, Wash. – The Saints' bats erupted in the opening game of a doubleheader against local foe Pacific Lutheran, winning 15-3, before falling in the second billing 8-5 on Saturday.
 
It didn't take long for the Saints (1-6) to get the offense going against the pitching off the Lutes as Hunter Kosmider drove in the first three runs in the second inning on a bases-clearing triple. Ryne Oshiro and Aaron Renaud added on with RBIs of their own to make it a 5-0 ball game.
 
The two struck again in the fourth with Oshiro going for another RBI double, and Renaud connecting on his second home run of the season, a two run shot to center.
 
Bryant Nakagawa drove in one in the fifth, and Reid Little put the Saints up 10 with his two run home run in the ninth. However, it wasn't over yet as the Saints loaded the bases for Michael Yamaguchi. The sophomore hit his career grand slam, and his second career home run as the Saints coasted to the 15-3 win.
 
Cole Hatton (1-1) got the start, going five innings, allowing only one run, and striking out two. Troy McCormick picked up the rare four inning save after allowing two runs, and punching out another two.
 
Pacific Lutheran managed to quell the Saints' offense until the fifth inning of the second game, holding a 3-0 lead at that point. Jonathan Shimaburkuro broke the shutout with a home run down the right field line, driving in Cody Isa and putting the Saints within one.
 
After PLU added three in the fifth, the Saints started chipping away once again. Kosmider capitalized on a wild pitch in the seventh, and Cody Chavis, and Shimaburkuro drove in two in the eighth. However, the comeback narrowly fell short as the Saints fell 8-5.
 
Sam McCauley got the start, going four innings, followed by Zach Alcos with two, Aaron Nease, and Brock Wrolstad each throwing one.
 
Saint Martin's returns home for the first time in 2022 to host Puget Sound at 11:00 AM. Live stats and video will be available on smusaints.com