MORAGA, Calif. — It was another close defeat Monday for the University of San Francisco baseball team in a season full of battles and narrow margins, as the Dons rallied but fell short on the road at Saint Mary's in a 5-4 non-conference defeat at Louis Guisto Field.
 
The one-run defeat was the 15th edging San Francisco (20-22) has suffered in 2021. In 22 setbacks this year, 15 of them have come by only one or two runs. Each of their last four losses have been by one or two runs, and five of their last six.
 
The pile of close games this season is a testament to the Dons' ability to constantly battle back when trailing. USF fell behind 5-0 in the fifth inning Monday and answered by scoring four runs of its own across the next two innings, but the Gaels' bullpen tightened things up and retired eight in a row – including four strikeouts – to close out the game and preserve the one-run victory.
 
Saint Mary's (22-22) broke through in a 0-0 game with a five-run fifth. The Gaels were facing their fifth opposing pitcher in as many innings and started a rally by loading the bases with a rolling single back up the middle that just snuck under the glove of USF reliever Ryan Buckley, and two walks. They then followed with three consecutive RBI singles against new USF reliever Eddie Burns, scoring four runs and making it 4-0. Small ball brought home the fifth and eventual deciding run, as a sacrifice bunt put two runners in scoring position and Chris Santiago lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to make it 5-0.
 
The Dons bounced right back in the top of the sixth, loading the bases for the second time in the game after leaving them that way in the top of the fourth. Two runs came home on what should have been a double play ball, but the SMC defense dropped the ball at second, making it 5-2.
 
USF did it again in the seventh with doubles from Nick Yovetich and Ryan Davis to make it 5-3. Davis stole his third base of the game, gaining an important 90 feet from second to third, then scampering home when Luke Keaschall grounded out, making it 5-4.
 
Davis is batting .391 over his last seven games with five extra-base hits and five stolen bases. Nick Yovetich has also rediscovered his swing of late, with his in four of his last five appearances including two doubles.
 
San Francisco next plays a four-game home-and-home series with Sacramento State starting Friday. Fans can find all live coverage links on USFDons.com