SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara baseball earned a 3-2 victory over San Francisco on Friday night behind a three-run home run from senior left fielder Tyler Meditz and a stellar outing on the mound from redshirt sophomore Eric Lex.
Meditz gave Santa Clara (8-29, 4-9 WCC) a 3-0 lead on San Francisco (19-20, 5-11 WCC) in the bottom of the fourth inning by hitting his fourth home run of the season. Juniors Niko Holm (hit by pitch) and Jake Brodt (walk) were driven home by Meditz's shot to left center. Holm, the leader on the team in on-base percentage, reached base in each of his three plate appearances. After his single, he was hit by a pitch and then doubled in the sixth inning.
Senior left fielder Tyler Meditz on his home run and the win over San Francisco. #StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/iZIxZONhyY
— Santa Clara Baseball (@SCU_Baseball) April 22, 2017
Lex threw a career-high 8.0 innings and it was arguably the best outing of his career. He allowed six hits, two earned runs, did not walk a batter and struck out four. Senior right-handed pitcher Jacob Steffens came on in the ninth inning and earned the save, recording the final three outs in just 10 pitches.
"Lex stepped up big time tonight and gave us a much needed veteran outing," head coach Dan O'Brien said. "Our guys played well behind him and scored enough to support him. That was a great team win. I couldn't be happier for our guys after a very tough weekend series last week. They're keeping their heads up, staying together, practicing hard and playing tough."
Grant Goodman was handed the loss for USF but pitched a good game, going 6.2 innings and allowing just four hits and three earned runs. He also walked four batters and struck out five. The two relievers for USF did not allow a hit but did walk two batters.
HIGHLIGHT | @SCU_Baseball's Eliason Defends Home Plate #StampedeTogether #SCUBroncos #TopPlayTuesday FULL CLIP: https://t.co/CdWtQrmrY6 pic.twitter.com/eEotC1yFFU
— Santa Clara Broncos (@SCUBroncos) April 22, 2017
The Dons scored their first run of the game in the top of the sixth inning as Harrison Bruce reached on a single, stole second base and then scored on an RBI single by Nico Giarratano.
USF added a run in the top of the eighth inning as Ross Puskarich singled to start things off. Tyler Villaroman replaced Puskarich as a pinch runner, stole second, advanced to third on a flyout and then scored on a sacrifice fly.
Up Next: Santa Clara will play game two of the series at 6 p.m. PT on Saturday.
Parking: Parking is now available in the Guadalupe lot, adjacent to 455 El Camino Real. The Guadalupe lot is reserved beginning 60 minutes before game time through the end of the event for free parking. Baseball parking is no longer allowed in the lot behind Schott Stadium's left field wall. Overflow parking is available in the Leavey Center lot. Spectators that plan to arrive more than an hour prior to game time on weekdays are encouraged to purchase a parking permit for the Leavey lot. All SCU lot parking is free on weekends. ADA parking is available in the lot directly in front of the main gates; there is no general public parking in this lot. Follow signs for parking instructions.
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