SAN FRANCISCO — Early runs and strong pitching Saturday carried the University of San Francisco baseball team to a West Coast Conference series-clinching victory over visiting Saint Mary's, as the Dons held off the Gaels down the stretch to win, 4-2, at Benedetti Diamond.



HOW IT HAPPENED

• Saint Mary's starter Tyler Thornton (5-1) was shaky from the outset on Saturday, and San Francisco (20-14, 9-5 WCC) took full advantage for three first-inning runs. Thornton's first pitch of the game beaned leadoff batter Tyler Villaroman, and the Dons were off. USF's next batter Jack Winkler drew a four-pitch walk, and three pitches later, Riley Helland hit a bloop single to center field to score Villaroman and make it 1-0. Jonathan Allen was also hit by a pitch, and Robert Emery followed him with a two-run single on the third pitch he saw to make it 3-0.
   
• Saint Mary's (20-14, 6-5 WCC) was able to stop the bleeding right there, though. Kevin Milam entered in relief and got three straight strikeouts to leave the bases loaded and prevent further damage. Milam kept the Gaels in the game from there, throwing six innings and only allowing one run – a sacrifice fly in the sixth after the Dons had loaded the bases again with no outs. He struck out seven and also went 1 for 4 from the plate with an RBI.
   
• Meanwhile, USF starter Scott Parker (5-2) was busy winning his fourth consecutive decision. He worked into the sixth inning for the fourth straight time and sixth time this year. He only allowed one run on a two-out double from Eddie Haus in the third inning. He stranded runners in scoring position three times to help hold the Dons' lead.
   
• Alex Pham relieved Parker in the sixth and earned his fourth save with 3 2/3 innings of work. He also only allowed one run in the top of the eighth. Saint Mary's got three straight one-out hits from Joe Vranesh, Milam and Gio Diaz to make it 4-2. Pham struck out Austin Chauvin for the second out but walked the next batter to load the bases. He would get the final out and leave the bases loaded when Bryce Willits lined out to Helland at first base.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

• 0: San Francisco had eight base hits Saturday, but they were all singles. The Dons broke a streak of 28 consecutive games in which they had at least one extra-base hit (since Feb. 23). USF is 3-0 this season in games in which it does not record a double, triple or home run.
• 8: Villaroman's hitting streak stretched to eight games Saturday with his second-inning single. He also stole two bases and scored a run.
• 13: Pham's fourth save of the year marked the Dons' 13th as a team. 65 percent of the Dons' wins have come with a reliever earning a save. Joey Steele leads the WCC with eight saves. Grant Young also has a save on the year.

COMING UP

• San Francisco will go for the series sweep at 1 p.m. on Sunday against Saint Mary's righty Carlos Lomeli (5-2, 2.95 ERA). San Francisco's Sunday starter on the mound has yet to be announced. Fans can purchase tickets and find all live coverage links on USFDons.com.