Defending MIAA B Conference baseball champion opened its 2008 campaign on Friday with a 5-3 win over Gilman, giving the Saints their first ever over an A Conference program.
 
Austin Poretz threw 4.2 strong innings and Mike Tarliaian threw one pitch in the fifth to pick up the win. Tarlaian also went 2-for-3 with three RBI and drove in the game winner with a two out, two strike single in the sixth. Dave Summerall followed with a triple to drive in Tarlaian with an insurance run.

John Stewart was 3-for-3 with a triple.

It was quick turnaround for coach Dave Lanham's team, as they traveled to Cardinal Gibbons this morning to compete in the Babe Ruth Classic.  The Saints split two games at Pallotti, falling to WCAC power Gonzaga, 5-4, in the opener and then edging B Conference rival St. Vincent Pallotti, 5-3.
 
St. Mary's left runners on first and second with two outs in the seventh to end a potential rally. Mike Tarlaian was the tough-luck loser, going four strong innings in relief, giving up two earned runs.  Stewart was 1-for-3 with an RBI, Poretz was 1-for-2 with two walks and an RBI, and Tarlaian was 1-for-3 with a double and RBI.
 
In the second game, Tony Cerverizzo picked up his first win of the year, throwing 4.1 innings against Pallotti, striking out four while walking three. Sophomore Jeff Grap came in relief with one on in the fifth and didn't allow a run.

Stewart was 1-for-2 with two stolen bases, two walks and an RBI.  Poretz went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI.  Jordan King also had two hits and picked up an RBI.

Poretz came on to pitch with a runner on first in the sixth and picked up the five out save.

The Saints open conference play against Beth Tfiloh on Monday and meet Archibishop Curley, on Wednesday, before leaving for Tampa, FL the following week for a Spring Training trip that includes three games.