Feb. 13, 2005
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - After wet conditions kept the Santa Clara baseball team off the field on Friday and Saturday, the Broncos returned on Sunday to split a doubleheader at San Diego State on Sunday. SCU dropped an 8-4 contest to start the day before posting an 8-3 victory in the second game. Heading into the week, the Broncos are 5-3 on the season.
The Aztecs used a three-run second inning to build an early lead in the morning game. Capped by a two-run home run from Tim O'Brien, San Diego State took an early 3-0 lead over the Broncos in the second frame.
In the top of the fourth inning, SCU would get on the scoreboard and reduce the Aztec lead to two runs. A one-out triple from Robert Perry would put a runner in scoring position before the center fielder scored on a SCU groundout.
San Diego State returned in the bottom of the inning and posted four runs on the board to take a 7-1 lead. A two-RBI double off the bat of Quintin Berry highlighted the inning.
The Broncos added three runs in the top of the fifth, but were unable to score again. A lead-off home run from Michael Thompson started the inning as the third baseman hit his first round tripper of the year. An one-out double by Kevin Drever continued the Bronco rally and after an out, the shortstop would score on a Ryan Chiarelli double to left center. Nic Crosta would drive Chiarelli in with a bases loaded walk before the inning ended.
Senior Kellan McConnell took the loss in his first decision of the season. Freshman reliever Donald Brandt was spectacular in the late innings, recording a season-high eight strikeouts in the last three innings. The Santa Clara native did not allow a run in three frames.
Eight would once again prove to be the magic number in the second game of the day as the Broncos registered an 8-3 victory over the Aztecs to close out the day.
In the third inning, Chiarelli would reach base on a walk, steal second and move to third on an error to give SCU a scoring opportunity. A ground out from Perry later scored Chairelli and gave SCU an early lead.
The Broncos claimed a 4-0 advantage in the fourth frame after adding three runs to their total. Dustin Realini reached on a double to right field before Thomspon's second home run of the day brought in two more runs. Drever would then bring in Jason Matteucci later in the frame with an RBI-single. Heading into the bottom of the fourth, the Broncos led 4-0.
SCU allowed one run in the bottom of the fourth before adding another in the bottom of the frame. The Broncos would also scored a run in the sixth, eighth and ninth innings as they pulled away to the victory. A solo home run from Perry in the ninth highlighted the late inning scores.
The Aztecs posted two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but it would not be enough as Anthony Rea closed out the game for SCU.
Matteucci went 3-for-4 in the second game with three runs, while Thompson drove in a game-high two runs.
Mike Stutes posted his second win of the season with his first relief appearance of the year. He recorded four strikeouts in three inning in relief of starter Patrick Overholt. Overholt struck out four in three shutout innings to begin the contest.
Santa Clara returns home on Tuesday to host Sacramento State in a 3 p.m. contest at Buck Shaw Stadium. The Broncos will also host Washington over the weekend in a three-game series. On Friday night, the teams will face-off in a 6 p.m. game.
