SAN DIEGO (Interstat) — Makoa Sniffen launched a go-ahead grand slam in a five-run fifth inning and the Saint Mary’s Gaels held off a late rally to defeat the San Diego State Aztecs 9-6 on Sunday evening at USD Sports Center, securing the series victory.

The decisive moment came with the Gaels clinging to a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth. After starter Carson Johnson of San Diego State loaded the bases with one out, he was relieved by Anthony Belardes. Belardes surrendered a first-pitch, opposite-field grand slam to Sniffen, the Gaels’ first baseman, that cleared the left-field fence and broke the game open.

Sniffen, the game’s top star, finished 2 for 5 with a season-high five RBIs, adding a run-scoring double in the ninth. His slam provided crucial cushion for a Saint Mary’s pitching staff that navigated persistent Aztec threats.

Saint Mary’s starter Jake Hilton set an early tone, carrying a no-hit bid into the fifth inning. He ultimately earned the win, allowing two earned runs on no hits over five innings, walking four and striking out four. The Aztecs scored their first run in the opening inning on an RBI double by Tyce Peterson after Jabin Trosky’s leadoff single, Hilton’s only hit allowed.

The Gaels built their initial lead in the third when Brady Petit tripled down the left-field line to score Ryan Griffith, who had walked. Petit went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

San Diego State chipped away at the 7-1 deficit, mounting its biggest threat in the sixth. After Hilton departed, the Aztecs scored four runs on three hits, two walks, a hit batter, a balk and a wild pitch. Trosky and Justice delivered RBI singles, and Peterson added a sacrifice fly to pull within 7-5.

The Aztecs made it 7-6 in the seventh on an RBI infield single by Magpoc. The Gael bullpen, however, slammed the door from there. Reliever Lukas Sarantos was dominant, retiring all six batters he faced over the final two innings, striking out three, to record the save.

Saint Mary’s added insurance runs on a solo home run by pinch-hitter Ian Armstrong in the eighth and Sniffen’s RBI double in the ninth.

Connor Abadie provided a bright spot for San Diego State’s bullpen, striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Gaels out-hit the Aztecs 11 to 8. With the win, Saint Mary’s improved to 9-5 overall and took two of three games in the weekend series. San Diego State fell to 9-7.

Saint Mary’s next travels to face UC Santa Barbara on Tuesday. San Diego State will visit Cal State Fullerton the same day.