SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara baseball fell 2-1 to Oregon in game two of the four-game set on Friday night. The Broncos scored one run in the top of the ninth but couldn't bring the tying run on third base home. Oregon's David Peterson struck out 14 batters and the Broncos were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
Much like game one of the series, SCU (3-10) started the first inning off with a chance to take the lead on Oregon (9-4) but could not capitalize. Sophomore third baseman John Cresto recorded his fifth double of the season but was left stranded there.
After the first inning, Peterson (3-1) settled in and threw 7.1 shutout innings for the Ducks. He allowed three hits while walking one batter and hitting another. Kenyon Yovan (4) earned the save for the Ducks. He threw 1.2 innings and allowed one unearned run while striking out four batters.
Redshirt sophomore Eric Lex (1-2) was handed the loss for SCU. He worked out of trouble in the first two innings but conceded a run in the third. Kyle Kasser led off the inning with a double and came around to score after two groundouts.
Santa Clara loaded the bases in the top of fourth inning but could not get a run across. SCU got two straight singles from junior first baseman Jake Brodt and freshman center fielder Andre Nnebe and then sophomore right fielder Matt Smithwick was hit by a pitch. But Peterson recorded one of his 14 strikeouts to end the inning.
Oregon added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Daniel Patzlaff was hit by a pitch and Lex then walked the ensuing batter before he was replaced by freshman right-handed pitcher Brandon Buckley. Patzlaff came around to score after another walk and a sac fly. Lex finished the day allowing six hits, two earned runs, three walks and two strikeouts in 6.1 innings.
Sophomore Evan Haberle came on as a pinch hitter in the top of the eighth and walked to lead off the inning. He advanced to second base on a wild pitch but was left stranded.
In the top of the ninth, Nnebe singled with two outs and Smithwick doubled to put runners on second and third for redshirt freshman Ryan McCarthy. Nnebe came home to score on a passed ball and Smithwick moved up 90 feet to third base. However, the game ended as Yovan recorded the strikeout to end the game.
Up Next: Santa Clara plays in game three of the four-game series at 2 p.m. PT on Saturday.
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