Feb. 25, 2005
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara baseball team was unable to hold onto an early lead as the Broncos fell to Cal Poly, 11-2 on Friday night at Buck Shaw Stadium. Santa Clara drops to 7-6 on the season, while the Mustangs improve to 10-6.
The Broncos got on the scoreboard first, posting a run in the bottom of the third inning. Michael Thompson drove in the Robert Perry with an RBI single after Perry reached base on an error to leadoff the inning.
Cal Poly would take the lead in the top of the fifth inning and never looked back as the five-run frame would prove to be enough for a win. A two-RBI double down the left field line from Nick Cooper highlighted the inning as the Mustangs posted six hits.
The Mustangs had back-to-back three-run innings in the seventh and eight frames as they pulled away to the victory. In the seventh, Kyle Blumenthal knocked in two runs with a double to left field after a sacrifice fly from Brandon Roberts drove in the first run. In the eighth, Roberts would bring in two more runs with a triple to right center.
Santa Clara scored one run in the bottom of the ninth, but the rally would not be enough. Ryan Conan, who reached base on a hard hit infield single, scored the run on a Mustang error.
Roberts drove in a game-high five runs to lead Cal Poly. Cooper went 3-for-4 at the plate with three runs and two RBI.
The Broncos were led by Jason Matteucci, who was 3-for-4 on the night. David Hoffmire and Dustin Realini also posted multiple hit performances with two hits in the game,
Starter Kellan McConnell (1-2) suffered the loss after allowing seven runs on 10 hits in 6.1 innings of work.
Santa Clara and Cal Poly will continue the series on Saturday at Buck Shaw Stadium. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
