COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Santa Clara baseball team (0-2) carried a one-run lead through four-and-a-half innings, but No. 7/14 South Carolina (2-0) scored one run each in the fifth and sixth innings to edge the Broncos, 2-1, this afternoon in game two of the three-game series at Carolina Stadium.
Santa Clara jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Sophomore Matt Ozanne singled to left center to reach and was advanced on a passed ball and a sacrifice bunt during sophomore Justin Viele's at bat and ultimately scored on senior Curtis Wagner's groundout to second base.
Bronco starting right-hand pitcher senior Cory Hall threw seven complete innings, allowing the Gamecocks' two runs and striking out four batters. Left-handed freshman Powell Fansler made his first collegiate appearance, relieving Hall midway through the eighth.
Fansler, in his one inning of work, sent his first batter down swinging and assisted Wagner and Viele in picking off Adrian Morales who attempting to steal second for the final out of the inning.
The two runs would turn out to be just enough for South Carolina as Santa Clara couldn't solve the Gamecocks' pitching staff. Starting lefty Tyler Webb did not allow an earned run in six innings of work and along with Gamecock relievers Bryan Harper and Matt Price limited the Broncos to just five hits.
The two teams will close out the series with the third game tomorrow at 1:30 ET/10:30 PT at Carolina Stadium.
Notes: Freshman catcher Zach Looney made his first collegiate appearance for the Broncos, playing the entire game and registering two of Santa Clara's five hits on the day, both singles.
