May 7, 2005
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - For the second-straight game, the Santa Clara University baseball team dug itself a hole early and was unable to to come back as it dropped a 5-3 decision to the University of San Francisco Saturday in front of 556 fans at Stephen Schott Stadium.
With the loss, the Broncos fell to 23-24 on the season and 7-15 in the West Division of the West Coast Conference. San Francisco improved to 34-14 overall and 17-6 in the division. USF's 34 total wins ties the school's all-time record for victories in a season.
The two teams will play the final game of the three-game series Sunday at 1 p.m. at Schott Stadium. Reserved and general admission tickets are available at the gate. The game will serve as Bronco Kidz Day with all member of the official youth club of Bronco athletics receiving free admission with their membership card. Following the contest, Bronco Kidz will be invited to the field for a free youth clinic with SCU players and coaches.
USF sophomore right-hander Ryan Muller moved his record to 1-1 in his first league start of the season after pitching six full innings and allowing just four hits and walking just one of the 22 batters he faced. Santa Clara senior transfer Adam Sanabria dropped to 2-1 on the season after giving up four hits, walking three and allowing all five USF runs in the first three innings of the game. Patrick McGuigan earned his sixth save of the season and set a new USF record with the 12th of his career.
Redshirt freshman right-hander Chris Stansbury came on in relief for Sanabria with no outs in the top of the third inning and allowed just two hits while striking out five batters in six full innings on the mound. Thomas Van Buskirk pitched the ninth inning for SCU and did not allow a hit.
USF's Jonnie Knoble ledoff the game with a walk then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Tavo Hall. He advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single up the middle by Scott Cousins. Cousins came around to score two batters later when Jacob Abramson singled to left field, but was thrown out at second base.
The Broncos evened the score at two apiece in the bottom of the second inning. With two outs, catcher Kris Watts walked then advanced to second on a single to left field by second baseman Eric Newton. He scored when first baseman Nathan Faulkner singled through the left side. Ryan Chiarelli drove in Newton on a single up the middle.
San Francisco added three more runs to the board in the top of the third inning. Knoble doubled down the right field line to open the inning then stole third as Hall walked. With two runners on and no outs, Scott Cousins made the score 5-3 with his sixth home run in nine games over the right centerfield fence.
The best comeback opportunity for Santa Clara was in the bottom of the fifth when Faulkner was hit by a pitch to reach first base then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. He scored as Ryan Chiarelli grounded out to the shortstop Hall for the second out of the inning. Kevin Drever flied out to centerfield to end the inning.
Santa Clara's bullpen was effective through rest of the game, allowing just two hits in 7.0 innings and retiring 12 straight to finish the game.
