SAN DIEGO (Interstat) — Jacob Johnson went 4 for 5 with a home run and four RBIs, and the Saint Mary’s Gaels outslugged the San Diego State Aztecs 12-9 in a back-and-forth contest Saturday at USD Sports Center.

The game’s most critical sequence came in the top of the sixth inning, with the Gaels’ early lead having been trimmed to 7-5. After the Aztecs erupted for five runs in the fifth, Saint Mary’s responded immediately to reclaim control. With two on and one out against reliever Connor Canavan, Johnson laced a two-run single down the right field line, scoring both runners to push the lead back to four runs. The Gaels added another run on a Makoa Sniffen single, effectively halting San Diego State’s momentum and rebuilding a cushion they would not relinquish.

Saint Mary’s improved to 8-5 overall, while San Diego State fell to 9-6. The teams split the first two games of their weekend series.

Johnson set the tone early, launching a solo home run to left field in the first inning. He later added a sacrifice fly in the ninth, finishing a triple shy of the cycle. His performance anchored a 16-hit attack for the Gaels. Diego Castellanos contributed three hits and two RBIs, and Sniffen drove in two runs.

For San Diego State, catcher Zach Justice powered the offense with a 3-for-5, four-RBI day. His two-run double in the first inning answered Johnson’s homer, and another two-run double in the fifth keyed the Aztecs’ big rally. Dawson Santana added two hits, two RBIs and two stolen bases off the bench.

Pitching was a struggle for both sides. Saint Mary’s starter Cam Staton lasted 4 1/3 innings, allowing five earned runs on five hits. Reliever Luis Martin Romero failed to record an out in the fifth, surrendering two more runs. The Gaels were stabilized by Sam Kretsch, who provided four scoreless innings of relief, allowing no hits and striking out five to earn the win.

San Diego State used six pitchers. Starter Tom Talavs went five innings, giving up seven runs, though only two were earned, on eight hits. Jake Frohn was effective in a long relief role, tossing 2 2/3 innings and allowing one earned run.

The Aztecs threatened in the ninth, scoring once on a Santana RBI single, but Kretsch closed the door to secure the victory.

The outcome defied a late-game surge by San Diego State, which had overcome a five-run deficit to tie the game on Friday night. This time, Saint Mary’s had the immediate answer to maintain its lead.

The teams conclude the three-game series on Sunday.