MORAGA, Calif. (Interstat) — In a wild, back-and-forth offensive showcase, the Saint Mary’s Gaels erased an early seven-run deficit and outslugged the Nevada Wolf Pack 16-10 on Monday at Louis Guisto Field.

The game turned decisively in the middle innings as the Gaels’ relentless lineup, which amassed 18 hits, systematically dismantled Nevada’s pitching after the Wolf Pack had built a commanding 10-3 lead through the top of the third inning.

Nevada (17-14) struck first and fast, scoring once in the first inning before erupting for six runs in the second. The rally was highlighted by a two-run double from Cruz Jr. and run-scoring hits from Doyle and Waller. Snakenborg added a solo home run in the third, stretching the Wolf Pack advantage to seven runs.

The most important part of the game began in the bottom of the third, as Saint Mary’s (20-14) launched its monumental comeback. Makoa Sniffen, the game’s top star, ignited the rally with a solo homer. The Gaels then batted around, plating four runs on a combination of a sacrifice fly, an RBI double by Brett Williams, and productive outs to cut the deficit to 10-7.

Saint Mary’s seized complete control in the fourth and fifth innings. Diego Castellanos and Sniffen launched back-to-back home runs in the fourth to tie the game at 10. The Gaels then sent 12 batters to the plate in a six-run fifth inning, turning a 10-10 tie into a 16-10 rout. Sniffen delivered the key blow, a two-run single to center that put Saint Mary’s ahead for good. Tanner Griffith and Nick Allred added RBI hits in the inning, which saw three Nevada pitchers struggle to record outs.

Sniffen finished 4 for 5 with two home runs, four RBIs and three runs scored, continuing a torrid stretch. Williams also went 4 for 5 with two RBIs, while Griffith drove in four runs despite only two official at-bats, drawing a walk and being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

The Gaels’ bullpen proved instrumental in halting Nevada’s early momentum. Joseph Moreno entered with two outs in the third and provided 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win. Jake Nobles followed with three innings, and Noah Waldeck closed with a perfect ninth.

Nevada’s offense, which had 14 hits, was led by Snakenborg, who was a triple short of the cycle, and Doyle, who hit a three-run homer in the eighth for the Wolf Pack’s final runs.

Saint Mary’s has now won four straight games. Nevada has lost two of its last three.

The teams are scheduled to meet again in a rematch next Tuesday in Reno. Saint Mary’s will next host Gonzaga in a weekend series beginning Friday. Nevada travels to face New Mexico in a three-game set starting the same day.