May 6, 2001
By Keith Candau
Media Relations Student Assistant
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara University freshman pitcher Kellen McConnell earned his first career complete game as a Bronco with a 1-0 shutout of Gonzaga in the final game of a three-game West Coast Conference series Sunday at Buck Shaw Stadium. The win keeps Santa Clara in the race for the WCC Coast Division tile.
The Broncos won the third game of the series with Gonzaga by a score of 1-0. With the victory the Broncos improve their record to 22-29 and 16-11 in the WCC while Gonzaga falls to 26-22 and 17-10 in the league. The loss for the Bulldogs marks the end of an 11 game conference win streak.
McConnell only gave up two hits in a game where no Bulldogs advanced past second base. He struck out five batters and only walked one. The Broncos also did not record an error in the game. Jared Hertz and John Gebbers were the only players to hit off of McConnell - both singles.
Gonzaga starting pitcher David Hixson also had an impressive outing as he pitched seven innings giving up one unearned run and striking out six batters. Santa Clara's run came in the fourth inning as senior Mike Theoharis singled and stole second then advanced to third as Kevin Richardson's throw made its way into the outfield. Senior John Hilvert singled in Theoharis to record the only run of the game.
Santa Clara was led offensively by Hilvert who went 2-for-4 with a RBI.
This was the last home game for the Broncos in 2001. The next game is on Tuesday as Santa Clara plays at California in a 2 p.m. first pitch. Santa Clara also plays a make-up game at San Jose State Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Municipal Stadium.
Next weekend, the Broncos finish their conference season with a three-game road series against San Francisco. Santa Clara can still win the division with a sweep of USF and an Loyola Marymount sweep of Gonzaga next week.
