March 9, 2001
By Keith Candau
Media Relations Student Assistant
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University baseball team opened the 2001 WCC regular season with a 6-1 victory over the University of San Francisco.
Sophomore southpaw Joe Diefenderfer recorded his first career complete game and the team's first complete game of the season. This marks the first time a Bronco pitcher, other than Matt Travis, has thrown a complete game in two years. With the victory the Broncos improve to 3-15 and 1-0 in the WCC. The Dons fall to 10-7 and 0-1 in the WCC.
"We talked to our team this week about starting the conference season with a clean slate," said Head Coach Mike Cummins. "Our guys responded with enthusiasm and we really played together. Diefenderfer really put together a solid performance on the mound. Hopefully, we can take tonight's performance and build something positive as the conference season progresses."
In the bottom of the second inning, senior Matt Miller gave the Broncos an early lead driving in two runs with a double down the left field line. Pat Peavey and John Hilvert both scored on the play. The Broncos added two more runs in the third inning to secure the win, breaking a seven-game losing streak.
Sophomore Jack Headley scored off of a RBI single by Peavey. Headley had two stolen bases on the night. Matt Queen scored off of a sacrifice fly hit by Hilvert. In the bottom of the seventh inning, after Headley reached base on an error by Armand Gaerlan, Santa Clara recorded back-to-back RBI singles by Queen and Peavey.
Diefenderfer held the Dons scoreless in the first six innings only allowing three hits in that stretch. The Dons first graced the scoreboard with a run in the seventh inning off of a RBI double by Gaerlan. That would be the only run that Diefenderfer would allow as he retired seven of the last eight batters. Diefenderfer only gave up seven hits and struck out four batters, while Bronco fielders committed no errors in the game.
The Broncos were led offensively by Peavey who was 2-for-3 with 2 RBI's and Queen who was 2-for-3 with a RBI. Steve Booth led the Dons, going 3-for-3 and was the only Don with a multi-hit game. Only four other batters managed a hit off Diefenderfer.
The Broncos are next in action on Saturday, March 10 as they play game two of a three game home series against USF. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
