May 6, 2005
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Junior third baseman Michael Thompson hit a long-range solo home run in the top of the ninth but it wasn't enough for the Broncos as Santa Clara dropped a tight 3-2 decision to the University of San Francisco Friday night at Stephen Schott Stadium.
The Broncos fell to 23-23 overall and 7-14 in the West Coast Conference, while San Francisco remained in first-place in the West Division with its 33-14 mark and 16-6 record in league play.
The two teams will meet again Saturday in the second of the three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. Prior to the game, the Bank of Santa Clara will sponsor a recognition of SCU's 1962 team that advanced to the College World Series and its late coach John J. "Paddy" Cottrell. The series finale will take place Sunday at 1 p.m.
Both pitchers went the distance in the game with USF senior Nick Pereira (9-2), who moved to second on the school's single-season wins chart, allowed just four hits and struck out 12 Bronco batters in the game. SCU's Anthony Rea dropped to 4-6 on the season after allowing nine hits and striking out six.
All three of San Francisco's runs came in the first two innings of the game. The Dons struck early, scoring twice in the initial inning. With one out, Tavo Hall singled to reach first then Scott Cousins homered to right field to give USF a 2-0 lead. In the second inning, Jon Norfolk ledoff the inning with a solo homer to give USF a three-run lead.
Santa Clara got on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning. With two outs, Jason Matteucci reached on a single to right centerfield and came home when Thompson doubled to center.
With the Broncos down 3-1 in the bottom of the ninth, Thompson hit a bomb just inside the left field foul pole. His fifth home run of the season brought SCU within one run with no outs. Pereira then struck out Dustin Realini and Kris Watts before forcing Eric Newton to fly out to right field to end the game.
