MORAGA, Calif.—Pitchers Mark Anderson and Mason Marshall gave St. Mary’s College its first season loss in a 4-1 victory Friday to give BYU its first league win.

The Cougar win was the first-ever in the West Coast Conference as Anderson picked up his second win and Marshall his second save to improve BYU’s record to 3-2, while the Gaels are 5-1.

“I was reluctant to come out of the game,” said Anderson of his seventh-inning exit.  “But I can always count on Mason (Marshall) to slam the door. It’s a graveyard out there in the outfield.”

That BYU outfield came up big in the third inning when Stephen Wells robbed Patrick Wisdom of a potential two-out, two-run smash with a catch in deep left-centerfield.  SMC’s Kyle Barraclough, who struck out nine, was tossing a no-hitter into the sixth with a 1-0 lead.

In the sixth BYU chased Barraclough off the mound when it came up with back-to-back hits, the first by Jaycob Brugman to advance Wells to third.

“We were fortunate to get a leadoff walk and got a hit and run with Brugman,” said BYU coach Vance Law.  “He  (Brugman) executed perfectly and Wells made a nice turn at second to get to third, then Brock (Whitney) came through with the big double.”

Brock Whitney’s two-run double was the game-winning RBI, giving BYU a 2-1 lead.  The Cougars added a pair of runs in the seventh to provide the three-run cushion when Anderson left the game with six strikeouts.  Enter Marshall in relief, who struck out a Gael with the bases loaded to end the seventh.

“He (Marshall) is worth the price of admission just to watch when he is on the mound,” said Law.  “Opponents think they are going to get to this guy (Marshall) because he is short (5-10).”  Marshall pitched the final two-and-a-third innings, surrendering a pair of hits and striking out three.

The two teams, both 1-1 in the WCC, finish the three-game series on Saturday at 1 p.m., PST, in a game  broadcast, live on AM Radio 960 locally.

Five California trips are on BYU’s baseball schedule, but perhaps none loom larger than this week’s three-game series at Saint Mary’s College.

Thursday afternoon marks the start of the Cougars’ first year of baseball play in the West Coast Conference.  SMC, now 4-0, is located in Moraga, Calif., was picked sixth in the WCC preseason poll and BYU was seventh. The Cougars have a 6-1 lead in the series with the Gaels.

The three games mark the start of live Cougar broadcasts over BYU Radio 960 AM, with Brent Norton calling the action for his 22nd year mike side.  Those games will also be audiocast live on www.byucougars.com.

BYU, 2-1, begins its second week of the season using the same pitching rotation that brought success at UC Riverside.  Junior Chris Capper (0-1, 5.40) is the starting pitcher for Thursday’s game beginning at 2 p.m., PST.  Junior southpaw Mark Anderson (1-0, 3.00) is on the mound for Friday’s game at the same time.  Sophomore Adam Miller (0-0, 0.00) takes the hill in Saturday’s contest starting at 1 p.m.

“Our pitches did a nice job keeping us in games last week,” said BYU coach Vance Law.  “Our defense was outstanding, but we need to recognize how important that is to our success.  I am pleased with the way we performed and our offense will continue to get better.

“We are looking forward to the league opener which has come mighty early as a result of previous scheduling before we were conference members.  Both teams are at the same disadvantage.”

When the Cougars return from the SMC series, they will practice one day in Provo before flying to play at No. 4 Arkansas.  BYU travels to California the second week of March for a series at No. 27  UC Irvine, but doesn’t return to WCC play until the third full week of March at the University of Portland.