Feb. 22, 2009
RALEIGH, N.C. - The Santa Clara baseball team faced its first setback of the season with a 9-3 loss against NC State in the final game of the 2009 Summit Hospitality Invitational in Raleigh, N.C.
Tommy Medica was 3-for-5 at bat with two RBIs and two runs, including SCU's first homer of the season. On the mound, redshirt sophomore Cory Hall was dealt the loss after allowing four runs on six hits in three innings. He also struck out three.
NC State (1-2) started quickly with a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. A two-run home in the second from Drew Martin upped the Wolfpack's lead to 3-0. Pratt Maynard then made it a 4-0 game in the third with a one-out solo home run to left.
The Broncos (2-1) fought hard to get on the scoreboard, but Wolfpack pitcher Jimmy Gillheeney only allowed three hits through five innings. However, Medica broke the silence for SCU with a one-out solo homer in the top of the sixth inning. Santa Clara trailed 4-1.
Yet, NC State tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the seventh to make it an 8-1 game. The Broncos got two back in the top of the eighth. Freshman Andrew Biancardi pinched hit for Juan Parra to start off the inning and double to right center field. He advanced to third on a Matt Long ground out. Medica then hit an RBI single through the right side that allowed Biancardi to score. Jon Karcich and Brady Fuerst followed with singles to load the bases, and as Curtis Wagner was hit by a pitch, Medica scored for the Broncos third and final run of the game.
The Wolfpack was not done as it added one more run in the bottom of the eighth for the ending 9-3 score. Dallas Poulk scored on a Matt Renner wild pitch.
Santa Clara opens its 2009 home schedule on Wednesday, Feb. 25 against California. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Stephen Schott Stadium.
