Moraga, Calif. - In the first game of a three game West Coast Conference series, the Pacific Softball team was edged by the Saint Mary's Gaels at Cotrell Field, 4-2. The Tigers fall to 15-24 on the year and 4-3 in WCC play. Saint Mary's improves to 19-20 and 5-2 in WCC action.

Saint Mary's sent starter Lujane Mussadi (11-10) to circle to face the Tigers. Senior Gabby Goyette beat out an infield single to third base with one out and sophomore Nicole Zapotoczny delivered a two-out infield single to second base, but the Tigers did not score.

The Gaels pushed a run across in the bottom of the frame, as Brittany Sabatini delivered a double to left center to begin the ballgame against Pacific starter Tori Shepard (5-11). With one out, Cassidy Szeredy singled to deep shortstop as sophomore Melanie Habib attempted a throw, but the well-placed grounder gave Saint Mary's a 1-0 lead.

The Tigers took the lead in the top of the third inning as Goyette again reached on a one-out infield single and senior Taylor Petty reached on a fielding error, putting runners on first and second for Pacific. Sophomore Nicole Zapotoczny would fly out for the second out of the frame, but Habib delivered a two-out, two-run RBI past the diving attempt of the left fielder Monika Reichhardt, giving the Tigers their first lead of the game, 2-1.

In the bottom of the third, Shepard walked Katelyn Mamizuka and Erica Musgrave singled up the middle to put runners on the corners. Musgrave stole second before Angela Hazel flew out to left field, scoring Mamizuka on a sacrifice fly and leveling the score at 3-3. Shepard would limit the damage as Szeredy grounded out to end the frame.

After Mussadi worked around a pair of Tiger baserunners in the top of the fourth, Saint Mary's would score the decisive run in the bottom of the inning as Loralie Fitzpatrick clubbed a solo home run down the left field line on Shepard's first pitch of the inning.

Saint Mary's added another run on a wild pitch in the fifth inning and threatened in the sixth as Fitzpatrick singled through the left side and Lira singled on a sharp grounder to second base to begin the inning. Christine Torrise hit a pop up past third base that appeared as if it would fall for a base hit.

However, Habib had other plans, recording a diving catch and throw to second base, doubling off Fitzpatrick for a run-saving double play. Shepard struck out Mamizuka to end the threat in the sixth, giving the Tigers renewed energy for the seventh.

Junior Alex Steinmehl led off the top of the seventh with a long single on a line drive to center field off of Musaddi. The Gaels then went to the bullpen, summoning Katie Moss. Moss struck out the side, getting Goyette, Petty and sophomore Sara Anderson swinging to end the ballgame, earning credit for her second save of the year.

For the Tigers, Habib's two-RBI double was the only extra base hit. Goyette legged out a pair of infield singles.

Pacific will be back in action with a doubleheader scheduled for 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm on Saturday at Cotrell Field in Moraga. Live stats links are available on PacificTigers.com

Be sure to follow @PacificSoftball on Twitter and Instagram for the latest updates from Saint Mary's.