March 10, 2001
By Keith Candau
Media Relations Student Assistant
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University baseball team, behind a strong pitching performance by freshman starter John Redmond, earned its second straight win over the University of San Francisco Dons Saturday by a score of 5-3. The Broncos record improves to 4-15 and 2-0 in WCC while the Dons fall to 10-8 and 0-2 in the league.
The Broncos first score came in the fourth inning when John Hilvert hit a single to left field to knock in Pat Peavey. The Broncos added two more runs in the sixth inning off a sacrifice fly by Joey Gomes and a sacrifice bunt by Hilvert.
"Redmond really gave us a good performance on the mound today," said Head Coach Mike Cummins. "He has really been a bright spot on our staff. It was nice to see Anthony Rea rise to the occasion in a tough situation, as well. What can you say about a freshman pitcher facing one of the best players in college baseball with the game on the line. Anthony took charge and won the battle."
In the seventh inning, Santa Clara senior Matt Miller had two-out walk and recorded his fifth stolen base of the year. Sophomore Jack Headley then hit a ground ball through the legs of second baseman Luke Gradishar to score Miller and increase the Bronco lead to 4-1. After a two-out double by Joey Gomes in the bottom of the eighth inning, Hilvert singled to right field to record his third RBI of the game.
Redmond (2-2) received the start for the Broncos and, in six innings of work, shut down the Dons. He allowed four hits and struck out two batters. The only run Redmond allowed came in the second inning when Jason Howard knocked in Jeramy Janz to take a 1-0 lead. The Dons would not score another run until the ninth inning following consecutive shutout innings by freshman Chad Fillinger.
Junior A.J. Ampi recorded two outs in the ninth inning with one runner on base before he hit Nick Cirbo and gave up back-to-back RBI singles by David Seccombe and Armand Gaerlan. The score was 5-3 with All -American Taggert Bozied stepping to the plate representing the go-ahead run. Freshman pitcher Anthony Rea forced Bozied to pop-up to Matt Queen to end the game to earn his second save of the season.
Junior Jeremy Kinney (1-1) got the start for the Dons. He pitched six and two-thirds innings striking out seven Broncos and allowing six hits. The Broncos scored four runs off Kinney. Kevin Rose and Steve Moses both had relief appearances for USF. Santa Clara was led offensively by Hilvert who went 2-for-3 with three RBI's. Gomes went 2-for-2 with a RBI and Headley went 2-for-4 with a RBI. Jared Carvalho led the Dons going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Howard was 2-for-4 with a RBI.
The Broncos finish their first conference home stand against USF on Sunday, March 11. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
