March 30, 2001
Thanks to SMC Media Relations
MORAGA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University baseball team (11-17, 8-2 in the WCC) got back on the winning track with a 13-2 win in the opening game of a three game West Coast Conference series at Saint Mary's (8-19, 3-7 WCC) on Friday afternoon. Joe Diefenderfer pitched seven innings for the win and was 3-for-5 with three RBI at the plate to lead the Broncos.
Santa Clara set season highs for most hits in a game (20), most runs (13) and won by the largest margin of victory since a 17-3 win over San Francisco last season at Buck Shaw Stadium. Santa Clara also posted a season-high seven multi-base hits in the game, highlighted by Matt Miller's two doubles, a triple by Jack Headley and homers by Mike Theoharis and Matt Queen.
Bronco shortstop Mike Theoharis opened the game with a leadoff homerun to center field, sparking a five-run Bronco first inning. Diefenderfer followed with a single to center and two batters later Matt Queen's two-run homerun gave the Broncos a 3-0 lead, and all the runs they would need. Santa Clara added to more runs in the inning on a two-RBI single by catcher Jimmy Wallace. Wallace finished the day 2-for-4 with four RBI.
Saint Mary's got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Mike Reardon. Brett Wayne opened the inning with single, advanced to second a the groundout by Tony Graziani, stole third and scored on Reardon's fly out.
Santa Clara answered with a single run in the top of the fourth to make the score 6-1 in favor of the Broncos. In the bottom of the fifth, the Gaels closed the gap to 6-2 on an RBI single by Reardon. Reardon finished the day 2-for-3 with two RBI.
The Broncos added four runs in the seventh inning and tallied three more in the eight to put the game out of reach.
Saint Mary's right fielder John Engers went 2-for-4 in the game with two doubles, bringing his season total to eight.
Santa Clara tallied season highs with 13 runs and 20 hits. Leading the way for SCU was Pat Peavey who went 4-for-4 with one RBI, a double, and three runs scored. Theoharis finished the day 3-for-5 with three RBI and Queen was 3-for-6 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Diefenderfer improved his record to 3-2 after tossing seven full innings while allowing two runs on eight hits. Gael starting pitcher Eric Bowden (1-6) retired two hitters in the first inning before giving way to Tom Carroll. Carroll pitched 5.1 innings of releif.
The two teams will continue the three game series on Saturday, March 31. First pitch at Louis Guisto Field is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
