SANTA CLARA, Calif. – In a pitcher's duel that saw both starters go the distance, Santa Clara baseball lost to LMU by a final score of 2-1. The Broncos are now 13-39 overall and 0-23 in conference while the Lions are 24-27 and 12-11 in WCC action. 

The Broncos return to the field tomorrow, Sun., May 19 at 1 p.m. in the final game of the regular season.

Mike Couch (4-9, 4.28) started for Santa Clara and got a loss in 8.0 innings. Couch allowed two runs on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts. The offense was led by Justin Viele who was 1-4 with a double and a run scored and C.J. Jacobe who was 1-4 with a RBI.

Patrick McGrath (5-2, 2.43) started for LMU and got a win while throwing a complete game. McGrath allowed one run on four hits with no walks and six strikeouts. The offense was led by Cullen Mahoney who was 1-3 with a walk, a double and a RBI and Colton Plaia who was 1-3 with a walk, a double and a run scored.

Viele led off the game with a double down the left field line on the third pitch of the game from McGrath. After two outs were recorded, Jacobe came through with a two-RBI single on a 0-2 pitch to put Santa Clara on top 1-0.

After two outs were recorded in the bottom of the third, Matt Lowenstein singled through the right side to keep the inning alive and Mahoney doubled down the right field line to tie the game.

Plaia led off the bottom of the fourth with a double to left and moved to third on a ground out that was the second out of the inning. Plaia came in to score on a wild pitch by Couch to put the Lions on top for the first time.

Santa Clara had a chance to tie the game in the top of the eighth. Drew Ozanne singled down the right field line and Kyle DeMerritt was hit by a pitch to put two on with one out for the top of the order. Viele hit into a double play to end the inning and keep the Broncos behind by one.

McGrath came out for the top of the ninth and got the Broncos 1-2-3 to give LMU the win.