Feb. 20, 2010

Final Stats |  Action Photos 

By, Brandon Rebboah '13

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Pat Stover's three-run homer gave Santa Clara University an early lead but the University of Nevada responded with an offensive attack that would total 22 hits - allowing the Wolf Pack a 15-9 victory over the Broncos Saturday. Nevada has won each of the first two season-opening games this weekend at SCU's Stephen Schott Stadium.

Stover - a true freshman from Rocklin, California and a 17th-round draft pick by the Oakland A's - hit a home run in just his second game in a Bronco Uniform. Stover's 3-run blast in the first inning helped stake Santa Clara (0-2) to a quick lead.

"I felt good at the plate, overall I thought my timing was better today," said Stover, who went 0-for-4 in SCU's 4-2 loss last night. "I'm happy that I hit a ball hard, whether it went out or not wasn't the biggest deal to me. I'm trying to take it day-by-day and improve."

Stover's homer was followed an inning later by a two-run double off the bat of Tommy Medica.

Trailing 5-1, Nevada (2-0) countered with a big third inning, scoring four runs to tie it at five. First baseman Saun Kort had three hits and three runs for the Wolf Pack, including a homer. Brett Hart was 4-for-4 with three RBI.

"We didn't pitch very well today, which I thought was disappointing because we had a lead," said Santa Clara head coach Mark O'Brien. "We have to give them credit though they hit the ball well but if you score nine runs in a baseball game you should come away with a win."

After falling behind 8-5 through five innings, the Broncos surged back into the game with a two-run sixth, helped by a double from Lucas Herbst who finished the day with four hits.

The seventh was a wild inning on both sides. Santa Clara freshman pitcher Brock Simon started his career strong with two strikeouts - after inheriting a runner at second. He then gave up a single, which led to a strange play. After the single, the runner trying to score from second ran into catcher Geoff Klein just as the ball arrived. He was ruled out because he contacted Klein before the ball got there.

The ruling was later overturned. Simon then gave up a three-run homer to Kort, which transformed a close game into five-run Nevada lead at 12-7.

"I was caught by surprise by the play, I didn't even see the runner," said Klein. "I just thought I was going to catch the ball. The call isn't really for me to worry about, it happened and we just have to keep playing. It definitely was a big play but we have to overcome that."

The two teams will play the final game of the series Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1pm.