Note: Summer and baseball have always seemed to fit together perfectly. For fans of the game, summer is a time to enjoy the sights, sounds and atmosphere of America's pastime, but for college baseball players, it is a time for development. College players across the country, including members of the Santa Clara baseball squad, have already left for their summer experiences just weeks after finals as they begin preparation for the 2013 season.

After a much-improved 2012 campaign on the Mission Campus, Bronco ball players now occupy rosters throughout the nation in summer leagues that are helping them grow as players. Santa Clara is represented in nine different leagues from the Bay Area to New England, while others play for independent teams. The "All Summer Long" series, in its second season, will chronicle the Broncos as they play in various summer leagues nationwide, and in Canada as well. 

ATHENS, OHIO - After their respective freshman campaigns, both Bronco baseball players Matt Glomb and Evan Brisentine spent the summer playing for the Southern Ohio Copperheads, both excelling in preparation for their sophomore seasons.

For Glomb, the summer was a time to build upon a successful rookie season. As a freshman in 2012, the Bay Area native appeared in 43 games, while starting 31 at third base. Defensively, Glomb showed the skills of an every-day third baseman by continually making difficult plays in the corner of the infield.  On offense Glomb had a streaky freshman year, but showed signs of life throughout the season. His .213 average didn't display the kind of numbers he was capable of putting up, like his 4-RBI performance against Fresno State. Glomb had a fine rookie campaign and should be a fixture in the 2013 squad's lineup.

Brisentine, a left-handed reliever for Santa Clara, only appeared once during his freshman campaign. He pitched just one out against Illinois-Chicago during the opening weekend. For Brisentine, this summer was a chance to gain valuable experience on the mound against quality opponents in preparation of earning a spot as a left-handed reliever in 2013.

Both of the Bronco underclassmen helped the Southern Ohio Copperheads finish tied for fourth in the LSBL, just two games out of first. The GLSBL consists of 11 teams in Ohio and Kentucky. The league played 40 games over two-and-a-half months with a championship at the end of the season. The Copperheads played their home games at Ohio University's Bob Wren Stadium. 

Glomb certainly made the most of his summer preparation. In his 25 games played, the Bronco third baseman hit .337 in 92 at-bats. The average was the second highest average on the team and in the top-15 in the LSBL. He tallied five doubles, three homers, and 15 RBI with a .435 on-base percentage. On July 25, Glomb tore up the Cincinnati Steam, who played for the GLSBL title, in a 13-0 Southern Ohio victory. Batting leadoff, Glomb went 2-4 with four RBI including a two-run dinger in the seventh inning.

For Glomb, being in the Midwest has been a new experience and one he enjoyed sharing with his close friend and teammate, Brisentine. 

"Ohio [was great]  and the atmosphere at our home games was unbelievable," said Glomb. "The fans were so exciting and brought a lot more energy to the games. Having a fellow Bronco on the team was awesome, especially since Evan (Brisentine) and I are close friends. We roomed together in a house with all of the teammates and the coaches. It was a blast."

"The town is all about the Copperheads and a lot of the town went to the games every night. I would say about 700 people," said Brisentine.

Bristentine got valuable work with the Copperheads this summer. The Bronco lefty appeared in eight games for the Copperheads, including two starts. He finished 0-1 with a 2.65 ERA in 17 innings, totaling 11 strikeouts. His one decision was a heartbreaker. Brisentine pitched a masterful seven innings, allowing just one run on three hits to the Lake Eerie Monarchs.