March 7, 2008
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The Santa Clara baseball team defeated host San Diego State University, 10-6, in day two action of the Aztec Invitational. With the win, the Broncos improve to 9-1 on the season and ride a four game win streak into the weekend.
Senior Ryan Conan went 4-for-5 against the Aztecs, scoring three runs and one RBI. Designated hitter Geoff Klein produced a stellar game going 3-for-4 with one run and three RBIs.
The two teams battled through two scoreless innings before the Broncos broke free in the top of the third.
Patrick Glenn opened the inning with a single through the left side. Brady Fuerst then reached first and Glenn advanced to third on an Aztec throwing error. LeBlanc came to the plate with a bases loaded situation as Matt Long had walked in the previous at bat. LeBlanc singled to right field allowing Glenn to score and keep the bases loaded.
Tommy Medica hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield bringing home Fuerst. Conan followed with the first double of the game and Long scored in the play. The Broncos led 3-0. Before the half was brought to a close, Klein drove in two runs, LeBlanc and Conan, before getting tagged on his attempted double.
However, Santa Clara's 5-0 lead was short-lived as San Diego State scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth. A Kevin Silvett double brought home Garett Green and Brandon Glover.
The Aztecs held off the Broncos in the top of the fifth inning and then went on to tie the score and take a one run lead. Cory Vaughn had the tying run for SDSU on a single from Erik Castro. The Aztec's then grabbed the one run lead on a single by Silvett.
For the Broncos Daniel DeMarco came in with two outs in the fifth to replace starting pitcher Nate Garcia. Garcia threw 4.2 innings and struck out seven batters.
The Broncos took back control of the ballgame in the top of the sixth inning as they score two runs. Conan scored first to tie the game on a left field double from Jon Karcich. Then, before the putout at second, Klein was able to score to give SCU a 7-6 lead.
Santa Clara then extended its edge to four runs in the top of the eighth. Conan started the inning with a double to right centerfiled and scored on a Klein single through the right side. Karcich followed with a similar shot and then advanced to second in a fielder's choice situation as Kevin Madden got on base. Both Karcich and Madden scored on a Fuerst double to give SCU a final score of 10-6.
DeMarco earned the win for the Broncos, his first of the season, while Jeff Lombard received the save. DeMarco struck out six batters and allowed one hit and no Aztec runs.
The Broncos continue play at the Aztec Invitational on Saturday, March 8 against the Cowboys of Oklahoma State. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium on the campus of San Diego State.
