March 8, 2009
EUGENE, Ore. - The Santa Clara baseball team saw its weekend series against Oregon tied as the Ducks won the first game of a Saturday doubleheader, 12-3. The second game of the doubleheader was called due to darkness with the score even at 2-2 heading into the top of the eighth. It will resume tomorrow at Noon. The series finale, originally scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, will follow the completion of the Saturday's game No. 2.
Game 1
Santa Clara - 3
Oregon - 12
Matt Long opened the first game with a lead-off home run to right center field to put the Broncos up 1-0. It was his second homer of the season. However, the Ducks knotted the score in the bottom of the inning on a Mitch Karraker RBI single that scored Caleb Tommasini. The Broncos were kept scoreless until the top of the fifth inning.
With two outs on the board, Tommy Medica doubled to left field to send home David Abraham for the edge. Abraham was walked in the previous at bat. Santa Clara led 2-1.
However, the Ducks responded in the bottom of the sixth to take a one-run lead. KC Serna singled up the middle to drive in both Curtis Raulinaitis and Danny Pulfer. Oregon led 3-2.
Oregon then added seven runs in the seventh inning to claim a 10-2 advantage. Santa Clara added a run in the eighth inning but that's all the Broncos could get. Abraham scored on a fielder's choice as Jon Karcich was thrown out at second. Then in the bottom of the eighth, Karraker homered to left center field, bringing Raulinaitis home with him for the final two runs of the game.
Game 2 through the seventh inning
Santa Clara - 2
Oregon - 2
The Ducks picked up right where they left off scoring the first run of game No. 2. Tommasini scored on an Eddy Rodriguez sacrifice fly. Oregon added a second run in the third inning as John Adamson hit a home run to right field.
The Broncos had an opportunity in the second inning to knot the score as Geoff Klein singled to center field and then advanced to second on an error by the centerfielder. However, SCU could not get a hit and quickly closed out the inning with Klein left on base.
Santa Clara got on the scoreboard in the fifth inning with an RBI single from Long. He plated Abraham on the play. Senior Long did it again in the seventh as he drove in Brady Fuerst with his double down the left field line.
