March 9, 2008
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Despite an impressive nine-run third inning, the Santa Clara baseball team fell in a tight battle against No. 12 Oregon State Sunday afternoon at the 2008 Aztec Invitational on the campus of San Diego State. With the setback, the Broncos dropped to 9-3 on the season, while the Beavers evened out at 5-5.
Patrick Glenn went 2-for-3 for the Broncos with two RBIs and two runs. Matt Long also registered two runs and two RBIs for Santa Clara.
The Broncos were first to get on the scoreboard as Long scored on a wild pitch. The Beavers then tied the score in the second inning with a Chris Hopkins single to center field that brought home Braden Wells. Oregon State claimed a one-run edge, 2-1, in the top of the third as Drew George scored on single from Ryan Ortiz.
Santa Clara went on a scoring rampage in the third inning, registering nine runs to retake the lead. In an inning that started off with a walk and a bunt attempt to simply advance the runner, the Broncos saw nine runs on four hits with two players hit by a pitch.
Long started things off with a triple to center field and scoring Brady Fuerst and Glenn. The hit was Santa Clara's first triple of the season. SCU led 3-2.
Evan LeBlanc reached on a Beavers' throwing error and advanced to second as Long scored for the Broncos. Ryan Conan then dished out a sacrifice fly to right field bringing home LeBlanc. Two runners, Gabe Alcantar and Tommy Medica, were put on base for the Broncos after being hit by a pitch, and then were brought home on a Jon Karcich single up the middle.
SCU continued its scoring frenzy with a Glenn triple to right center that allowed both Karcich and Geoff Klein to score. Klein was dealt a walk two at bats prior. The Broncos finished their outburst with a sacrifice fly to centerfield by Long that brought Glenn home. Santa Clara led 10-2.
However, the Broncos lead was short-lived as the Beavers tacked on six runs in the top of the fourth to make it a two-run ballgame. Oregon State also added a run in the fifth inning. Daniel Robertson scored first in the eighth inning to tie the score for the Beavers, 10-10. Oregon State would score two more runs to win the game, 12-10.
An all-tournament team will be announced upon the conclusion of the San Diego State/Oregon State contest Monday night.
The Broncos return to action on Wednesday, March 12 against the Mustangs of Cal Poly. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
