MORAGA, Calif. - The Saint Mary's baseball team could not hold on for the win Tuesday afternoon against visiting San Jose State, as the Spartans (2-5) defeated the Gaels 5-3 at Louis Guisto in a mid-week contest.  The Gaels mounted a rally in the ninth, twice bringing the tying run to the plate but were not able to overcome the Spartans three run lead.

Saint Mary's (5-3) first got on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning when SMC when the Gaels plated a pair of tie the game up.  Chris Murphy got the rally started when he beat out a throw on a fielder choice. Toby DeMello singled down the left field line to put runners at first and second.  Freshman infielder Darian Ramage worked a two out walk to load the bases after falling behind in the count 1-2.  Cole Norton pushed two across with a double to left center field.  The single by DeMello was the Gaels first hit of the afternoon.

The two run rally got starter Ben Griset off the hook, who threw his second quality start of the season.  Griset went six complete, allowing 10 hits, two runs, both earned, with no walks and two strike outs.  He ran into trouble in the top of the second when he allowed four consecutive hits which accounted for two runs before a pair of nice defensive plays by Troy Channing ended the threat. 

In the top of the seventh the Gaels handed the ball to Thomas Cortese (1-1).  The first batter he faced was Andre Mercurio who lined a single back up the middle to center field.  After a sacrifice bunt, the Spartan's designated hitter Anthony Bona tallied his third hit of the day, a ground ball down the third base line that scored Mercurio from second for the go ahead run. 

Cortese got out of the inning without any further damage.  His line for the day was one inning pitched, allowing three hits, one runs, with no walks or strike outs.

San Jose State added insurance runs in the top of the eighth and ninth off relieve pitchers Tanner Kichler and Brad Nease.

The Spartans used seven pitchers on the afternoon with reliever Mike Aldrete (1-0) earning the win.  Aldrete pitched a perfect inning in relief with a strike out.  Zack Jones earned his first save of the year, a four our save, he went 1.1 innings pitched, allowing two hits, and one run.

Norton and Chris Murphy combined for four of the Gaels six hits on the afternoon, the other two were tallied by Brenden Kalfus who went 1-for-3 with a run scored and DeMello who was also 1-for-3 with a run scored.  With the loss the Gaels have now dropped three in a row, after starting the year 5-0. 

The Gaels return to action on Thursday when they take on Oregon State at the Coca-Cola Classic in Surprise, Arizona.  First pitch for that game is slated for 1:00 p.m.