MALIBU, Calif. – Santa Clara baseball claimed a series sweep of Pepperdine on Sunday as the Broncos won 8-2 at Eddy D. Field Stadium. Senior Jacob Steffens earned his third complete-game victory of the year and junior Jake Brodt hit a grand slam in the ninth to secure the victory.
"It's inspiring," head coach Dan O'Brien said. "Through some very challenging times, this team developed a belief in themselves and for one another. For way too long we played like we hoped, this weekend we played like we knew and team leaders like Jake Steffens and Jake Brodt led the way."
Santa Clara (11-31, 7-11 WCC) right-handed pitcher Jacob Steffens had a remarkable outing for the Broncos. In his third complete game of the season, he allowed six hits, two earned runs and walked two batters while striking out seven. Pepperdine (17-24, 6-12 WCC) went 0-for-9 at the plate with runners in scoring position while the Broncos had seven two-out runs batted in on the night.
SCU jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. With two outs, junior designated hitter Niko Holm walked and then advanced to third base on a single by first baseman Brodt. Holm then came around to score on a passed ball.
The Broncos tacked on another run in the second inning with a two-out rally once again. Junior shortstop Austin Fisher singled, advanced to second on a passed ball and then scored on a double by junior catcher Lucas Eliason.
SCU scored in much the same way in the fourth inning. Junior second baseman Evan Haberle walked and then with two outs advanced to second on a balk. Fisher then hit an RBI single to score Haberle. Fisher advanced to second base on a wild pitch and then Eliason hit an RBI single to give SCU a 4-0 lead.
Pepperdine loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth inning via a walk and two straight singles. Matt Crowder then delivered a two-RBI single to cut the SCU lead to 4-2.
The Broncos added insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning courtesy of Brodt's third home run of the season. Eliason doubled, freshman center fielder Andre Nnebe singled and redshirt freshman Ryan McCarthy walked to load the bases for Brodt. The junior delivered with a shot to left field to put SCU up 8-2.
GRAND SLAM! Jake Brodt goes deep and the Broncos lead 8-2 off his 3rd home run of the season. To the bottom 9 we go.
— Santa Clara Baseball (@SCU_Baseball) April 30, 2017
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SCU 8-2 PEP pic.twitter.com/qL4l7fDKAc
Up Next: Santa Clara is set to play at home against No. 12/13 Arizona at 3 p.m. tomorrow.
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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