SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara baseball dropped a pitcher's duel to Pacific 3-1 Thursday night in the teams' series-opener.

The score was tied at 1-all after the second and remained that way until the top of the seventh when the Tigers (10-17, 3-7 WCC) scored on a bases loaded walk. The Broncos (14-11, 4-6 WCC) would give Pacific another gift in the next inning with a bases loaded balk.

Ben Nemivant led the Tigers' offense with two hits, including a double, and a walk. Rylan Evans and Jeremy Lea both had RBIs.

Coper Lanz (1-2) pitched around baserunners, allowing 10 hits and a walk, but gave up just one run over six innings while striking out two to collect the win. Ryan Martinez got his second save of the year.

Despite not factoring in the decision, Evan Moll got the biggest outs of the night in the seventh. Protecting a one-run lead with runners on second and third and one down, Moll got a popout and fly out to keep his team in the lead.

It was a big day for JonJon Berring who was a perfect 4-for-4. Johnny Luetzow was also perfect, going 3-for-3 with Efrain Manzo and Malcolm Williams both having two-hit games. Thomas Gould knocked in the long run with Williams crossing the plate.

Despite 13 hits, three walks, and a hit-by-pitch, the Broncos managed just the lone run, in part to having four runners thrown out on the bases. They ended up stranding 13 runners.

Cole Kitchen had a strong start but got hung with the hard-luck loss as the bullpen allowed his runner to come in to score in the seventh. Kitchen (3-1) tossed 6-plus innings, allowing two runs on five hits with four walks and six strikeouts.

NEXT UP
The teams play tomorrow at 6 p.m.

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