March 13, 2001
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University baseball won its fourth straight with an 8-7 victory over the Columbia Lions Tuesday at Buck Shaw Stadium. Senior Mike Theoharis singled in the game-winning run with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning.
The Broncos record improves to 6-15 and 3-0 in the WCC while the Lions remain winless with a 0-10 record. SCU's four game win streak marks the longest by the Broncos since February 25-27, 2000.
Columbia started the game with two runs in the top of the first inning highlighted by a RBI double by Boomer Murray. The Broncos answered immediately in their half of the first inning when junior Pat Peavey hit his fourth double of the season. Theoharis and Matt Miller both scored on the play. Sophomore Jack Headley advanced to third on the double then stole home as the catcher left the plate to talk to Lions' starting pitcher Robert Hansen.
However, Columbia quickly regained the lead with a two-out rally in the top of the second inning. Billy Hess and Nicholas Solaro hit back-to-back doubles to regain the lead 5-3. The Lions further increased their lead when batter Steve Compton singled in Solaro. Once again, the Broncos answered in their half of the second inning as the first six batters reached base. Matt Queen hit a two-RBI single to score Freshman Clint Cleland and Theoharis. Peavey also added another RBI single to regain the lead 7-6.
The starting pitcher for the Broncos was Dave Mallen. He struggled through the first two innings allowing six runs off eight hits. For the Lions, Hansen also only threw two innings as he allowed seven runs off seven hits.
Bronco freshmen pitcher Kellan McConnell slowed down the Lions over the next four innings allowing only one run in the fifth inning. Chad Fillinger (1-1) pitched the seventh and eighth innings and earned victory for Santa Clara. The Lions' reliever Jessen Grant (0-1), a native of Cupertino, Calif., pitched the remainder of the game for Columbia. He only gave up two hits and struck out six batters. Grant received the loss for Columbia.
Grant's only blemish was for the game in the eighth inning, as Theoharis got his third hit of the game with two outs and Mike Balestreri on second base. The Broncos took the lead for good as freshmen pitcher Anthony Rea earned his team-leading third save of the season.
Theoharis led the Broncos offensively going 3-for-5 with a RBI. Queen and Peavey both went 2-for-4 on the night, Queen had two RBI's while Peavey had three. Solaro led the Lions going 2-for-5 with two RBI's.
Santa Clara is next in action when they host WCC rival Loyola Marymount in a three-game series at Buck Shaw Stadium. Game one is Friday, March 16. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.
