SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Landen Bourassa threw seven strong innings and the offense was opportunistic in San Francisco's 4-1 series opening win over Santa Clara baseball on Friday.

Bourassa (3-2) and reliever Alex Pham combined to yield one run (unearned) on three hits while the Dons scored on a walk, a wild pitch, a sacrifice fly and an error.

San Francisco (12-15, 7-3) put up the first run of the game in the top of the fourth against Bronco starter Russell Grant (0-4) who walked Thomas McCarthy with the bases loaded after a fielding error by Jason Dicochea prolonged the inning.

Cole Kitchen came in relief for Santa Clara in the fifth and surrendered three runs on two hits, a pair of walks and an error.  Luke Keaschall had a leadoff single and eventually scored on a wild pitch.  With the bases loaded, pinch-hitter Harris Williams hit a sacrifice fly for the second run of the inning.  The Dons added a third run when Kyle Knell hit an infield single with runners at first and second but the throw from second baseman Dawson Brigman got away from first baseman Jake MacNichols to allow Jordan Vuovich to score.

Santa Clara (11-16, 4-6) got a run in the sixth on Dicochea's RBI single off Bourassa to plate Coleman Brigman.  Matt Jew was the only other Bronco to get a hit going 2-for-4.

In the ninth, Dicochea drew a walk and Jew singled against Pham, bringing the tying run to the plate but Tony Boetto struck out to end the game.  Pham earned his second save of the season.  

The Bronco pitching staff only gave up three hits but issued seven walks.  Freshman Skylar Hales threw a career-high four innings retiring 12 of the 13 batters he faced. 

NEXT UP

The Broncos and the Dons play the second game of the three-game series on Saturday at 1 p.m.