MORAGA, Calif. – St. Mary's hit a walk-off home run on the first pitch of the ninth inning to earn the win in game two of the series against Santa Clara baseball. The score was tied at two from the fourth inning on until Kevin Milam's homer ended the game.
Milam not only hit the game-winning home run but earned the win on the mound as well. He threw 2.2 scoreless innings and struck out one batter for St. Mary's (36-18, 17-9). Starting pitcher Jake Valdez had a strong outing before making way for Milam. He allowed five hits and two runs (one earned) in 6.1 innings while striking out nine hitters.
Santa Clara (13-39, 9-17 WCC) starting pitcher Jacob Steffens had a strong outing on the mound but was still handed the loss. He threw 8.0 innings, allowed nine hits and three earned runs while striking out eight batters.
Brett Rasso's RBI double in the bottom of the third inning opened up the game's scoring. Conor Thane singled to leadoff the inning and advanced to second on an error. After a sacrifice bunt, Rasso's double down the line drove him home.
The Broncos responded in the top of the fourth inning with two runs of their own. Junior first baseman Jake Brodt hit a solo home run to tie the game up. Freshman second baseman Zach Walsh walked with the bases loaded to drive in senior left fielder Tyler Meditz for an unearned run.
Brodt doubled in the eighth inning, his 20th double of the season. That mark is tied for the 10th-best single season total in program history.
SMC tied the game with a solo home run by Edward Haus in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Milam took the first pitch of the ninth inning deep to end the game and give the Gaels the win.
Up Next: Santa Clara and SMC play the season finale at 1 p.m. PT on Sunday.
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