April 23, 2005
MORAGA, Calif. - After rain halted Friday's contest in the top of the third inning, the Santa Clara baseball team returned Saturday to split the doubleheader at Saint Mary's College. The Broncos fell 4-3 in the first game before taking a 5-4 win in the second games. Santa Clara is now 18-21 overall and 4-12 in West Coast Conference action.
In the first game, two Bronco runs crossed home plate on a home run by Michael Thompson in the top of the sixth frame for the first runs of the contest. The round tripper to left field was the fourth of the season for the Bronco third baseman. The home run also plated Jason Matteucci, who had singled a batter earlier. After six innings, Santa Clara led 2-0.
The lead would be shirt lived, however, as Saint Mary's scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to claim the win. Three straight singles led off the inning as the Gaels recorded six of their eight hits in the frame.
The Broncos added another run in the top of the ninth, but the rally would fall short as SMC held on for the victory. Ryan Chiarelli scored the run on a fielding error by the Gael shortstop when Matteucci hit into a fielder's choice with two outs. Chiarelli had reached base on a double.
Santa Clara starter Anthony Rea returned to the mound on Saturday after beginning the game on Friday. He allowed only two hits through the first seven innings and struck out five batters in the loss.
Dustin Realini reached base three times in four plate appearances as he recorded a single and was walked and hit by a pitch. Ryan Chiarelli was 2-for-3 with a single and a double.
In the afternoon game, the Broncos scored three runs in the top of the second to take an early lead and never look back. Eight Broncos went to the plate in the frame as Realini led off with a single. After a SCU strikeout, a double from Chiarelli put two Broncos in scoring position for Eric Newton. Newton knocked both runs in with a single down the right field line. Later in the inning, he would score on a single by Shawn Epidendio. After an inning and a half, SCU led 3-0.
The Gaels scored a run in the bottom of the second, but the second home run of the day from Michael Thompson put SCU ahead by three again in the top of the third inning.
A double by Newton started off the fourth inning. He would move to third on a sacrifice and, after a walk, scored on another sacrifice hit to record the lone Bronco run in the inning. Heading into the bottom of the fourth, Santa Clara led 5-2.
Another Gael run would cross the plate in the bottom of the sixth for the Gaels as Delaney Gallagher hit a solo home run to left field. After six innings of work, the Broncos led 5-3.
Saint Mary's attempted a late rally in the ninth inning as the Gaels pushed one run home on an Ian Gordon RBI-single. However, with runners on first and second, Patrick Overholt came into retire the last batter and earn the save.
Starter Adam Sanabria picked up his first win as a Bronco as he allowed three runs on eight hits in a career-long seven innings of action.
The Bronco infield recorded three double plays to aid the offensive attack in the contest. Newton led the offense, going 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored.
The three-game series will conclude tomorrow with a 1 p.m. contest at Louis Guisto Field. Senior right-hander Kellan McConnell will get the start on the mound for the Broncos.
