Jan. 29, 2005
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - After rallying from a four-run deficit in the first game of the doubleheader, the Santa Clara baseball team dropped a 3-2 decision to UC Riverside in the second game at Buck Shaw Stadium. At the end of the day, both teams evened their records at 1-1 to open the season.
The Highlanders jumped out in front early, scoring a run in the top of the first inning. With two outs, a double from Brian Steinmeyer started the rally. A single from Nick Salotti would send Steinmeyer to third to give UC Riverside runners at the corners with two outs. Kris Watts would catch Salotti trying to steal second, but Steinmeyer crossed the plate before the third out was recorded.
The Broncos would return to take the lead in the bottom of the second with two runs of their own. Nic Crosta would single and steal second to put a runner in scoring position with no outs. Watts would then double to right field to drive in Crosta and even the score at 1-1. After a groundout, Dustin Realini hit a single to center to move Watts to third. A sacrifice fly from Jason Matteucci would score Watts and give the Broncos a 2-1 lead.
Santa Clara would lead through out most of the game as Patrick Overholt, Chris Stansbury and Adam Sanabria combined to keep the Highlanders off the scoreboard until the seventh inning.
In the seventh, a two-base error by the Broncos would start off the frame. A sacrifice bunt moved Jeff Dunbar to third and he would later score on another Bronco error. Heading into the seventh inning stretch, the teams were tied at 2-2.
In the top of the ninth, the Highlanders scored the winning run as Dunbar crossed the plate while Jaime Pedroza was caught in a pick-off attempt between first and second.
Watts led Santa Clara as he went 2-for-3 with an RBI in the game. Matteucci drove in the other Bronco run with his sacrifice fly.
Overholt started the game for Santa Clara and posted five strikeouts in his first appearance since the 2003 season.
Freshman Mike Stutes will take the mound for the Broncos in the final game of the three-game series on Sunday at Buck Shaw Stadium. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
