MORAGA, Calif. --- The Saint Mary's Gaels broke open a close game with eight runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to claim an 11-5 win over the Portland Pilots in the finale of a three-game West Coast Conference series played on Sunday afternoon at Louis Guisto Field. Portland senior Kevin Wade homered for the second straight day as the Pilots attempted a late comeback with four runs in the top of the ninth.
 
The Pilots (4-19, 0-6 WCC) scored the game's first run in the top of the third inning after the first two batters had been retired. First Michael Forgione reached with a bunt single, then Matt Kelly kept the frame alive when he singled to right-center field, sending Forgione to third base. Beau Brundage followed with a base hit up the middle, scoring Forgione to make a 1-0 game.
 
The lead would stand until the bottom of the fourth when Saint Mary's (17-6, 3-0 WCC) scored twice to take the lead. Both runs scored a double by Kevin Milam. An inning later the Gaels' lead stretched to 3-1 when Zach Kirtley sent an RBI single to center field.
 
The Gaels then took control of the game with that eight-run sixth inning.
 
Portland starter Kevin Baker (1-3) was decent through five innings before things went south in the sixth. His final line included six runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings. Relievers Jake Hawken, Connor Knutson, and Christian Peters followed Baker on the mound.
 
SMC's Johnny York (3-1) fanned eight in 7.1 innings to earn the win. He scattered six hits and allowed one run. Bryce Reichmann finished the eighth and Austin Piscotty began the ninth, allowing the home run by Wade, his second of the season. Andrew Hansen finished game.
 
Grant Sutton also had a two-run double in the ninth, and Kelly added an RBI single.
 
Next up for the Pilots is a visit from the Oregon Ducks, who come to The Bluff for a non-conference contest on Tuesday. First pitch at Joe Etzel Field is set for 6 p.m., and it marks the beginning of an eight-game home stretch for the Pilots.