Broncos Play Extras for Second Straight Night, Fall to Gonzaga 2-1

Broncos Play Extras for Second Straight Night, Fall to Gonzaga 2-1

SPOKANE, Wash. — The Santa Clara Broncos went to extra innings for the second night in a row and fell to the Gonzaga Bulldogs 2-1 Saturday at Washington Trust Field. Starting pitchers Peter Hendron and Brandon Bailey dueled to a pair of no decisions and the Bulldogs scored the game-winning run on an infield single with five infielders in the 10th.

Hendron matched his career high with 8.0 innings pitched and allowed one earned run on six hits with no walks or strikeouts for the Broncos (14-20, 5-6 WCC). The sophomore issued 1-2-3 innings in the first, fourth and seventh and faced four batters or less in his last five innings. Sophomore Jacob Steffens (L, 0-4) allowed the game-winning single in the 10th with no outs and the bases loaded.

Bailey gave up one earned run on eight hits with one walk and six strikeouts in 9.2 innings for the Bulldogs (11-22, 7-7 WCC). The freshman threw at least 9.0 innings for the third time this season and faced the minimum seven times Saturday night. Senior relief pitcher Karl Myers (W, 1-2) retired the only batter he faced with two outs and runners on second and third in the 10th.

Gonzaga Sophomore designated hitter Jimmy Sinatro drove in his team-best 17th run of the season to open the scoring in the third. Santa Clara senior designated hitter Quinton Perry answered in the next half inning with an RBI single through the left side to make the score 1-1. The Broncos would go on to leave the bases loaded in the fourth.

Santa Clara had opportunities to take the lead after putting a runner in scoring position with one out in the sixth and seventh. Freshman catcher Stevie Berman hit a one-out double in the sixth and sophomore shortstop Jose Vizcaino, Jr. singled and stole second for the Broncos in the seventh. Berman led the Broncos by going 2-for-4 in the loss.

Sophomore third baseman Kyle Cortopassi doubled with two outs to put two runners in scoring position in the 10th before Myers retired the final batter of the inning to keep the game tied at one. Facing bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the inning, the Broncos brought freshman Luke Huerta into the game for senior left fielder Casey Munoz to set up a five-man infield. Freshman pinch hitter Nick Brooks drove a ground ball to Vizcaino, Jr. at shortstop, and the sophomore bobbled the ball and threw wide of Berman at home plate, which allowed the game-winning run to score. 

For the third straight weekend, the Broncos face a series-deciding game Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. tomorrow at Washington Trust Field. Steven Wilson (1-2, 4.27 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for the Broncos against Andrew Sopko (2-2, 3.57 ERA). The two will face off for the second time this season; the Broncos won the first matchup 3-2 Feb. 22 at the Irish Baseball Classic.

Game Notes: Attendance was 1,138 … first pitch was at 6 p.m. … time of game was 2:32. … senior first baseman Mac Hess left the game with a hand injury in the sixth … Steffens faced four batters in the 10th.