March 14, 2009
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SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Led by five hits and three runs from senior Matt Long, the Santa Clara baseball team won both games of its doubleheader against Cornell on Saturday at Stephen Schott Stadium. The Broncos topped the Big Red 8-3 in the first game and 7-6 in the second game.
With the wins, Santa Clara takes the series against Cornell and improves to 6-7 on the season. The Big Red dropped to 2-3 overall.
On the mound, junior RHP Nate Garcia (3-1) earned his third win of the season after eight innings of work in game one. He struck out eight batters and allowed three runs on four hits. Fellow junior Steve Kalush (1-1) also picked up a win in game two. He allowed no runs and struck out five batters.
Junior catcher Geoff Klein led Santa Clara with five RBIs. He also had four hits and two runs. Shortstop Jon Karcich tallied three runs as well and second baseman David Abraham launched his first career home run in game one.
Game 1
Cornell - 3
Santa Clara - 8
The Big Red took an early 1-0 lead as Domenic Di Ricco scored on a Bronco error. However, Santa Clara rebounded and knotted the game in the bottom of the second as Abraham was walked with bases loaded and Klein crossed the plate. SCU tried to drive in another run as the bases remained full, but was unsuccessful.
Yet, Santa Clara pounded out three runs in the fourth inning and four runs in the sixth inning to reach its final tally of eight.
In the fourth, Andrew Biancardi plated Brady Fuerst with his single through the right ride. SCU faced two tough outs with Biancardi holding steady at first base. Then, Abraham came to the plate and belted a home run over the right field fence to give SCU a 4-1 lead.
Cornell fought to tie the score and in the top of the sixth, the Big Red scored two runs to tighten the gap. After Matt Langseth walked, he advanced to third on a Nathan Ford double to left field. Langseth then scored on a pass ball. Ford then came home as Mickey Brodsky grounded out.
Yet, Santa Clara exploded for four runs in the bottom of the inning for the win. Juan Parra drove in J.R. Graham with a base hit for the first run of the inning. The bases loaded as Long singled and Karcich walked. Klein then hit a double to left centerfield to clear the bases and give SCU its 8-3 victory.
Game 2
Cornell - 6
Santa Clara 7
The Broncos dominated in the opening of the second game as they quickly took a 6-3lead.
The Broncos had four runs off of five hits in the first inning as Long, Karcich, Klein and Biancardi scored. SCU upped its tally to five in the second inning as Klein drove in another run with a base hit. The sixth run game in the third inning as Long plated Graham with a single to right field.
However, Cornell had back-to-back three run innings to knot the score. In the third inning, Langseth scored on a Jadd Schmeltzer single through the left side. Then, Scott Hardinger doubled to right center field on a 3-2 count to bring home Brodsky and Ford.
In the fourth inning, Nate David started things off with a home run to left field. Santa Clara's defense quickly got two outs on the board, but that did not matter to Cornell as Brodsky then homered to left field bringing Ford home with him. The score was tied 6-6.
The Broncos claimed a one-run advantage in the bottom of the fourth inning as Karcich scored on a Biancardi single. The shortstop got on base with a double down the left field line.
Santa Clara's pitching and defense then fought hard in the remaining five innings. Kalush faced 21 batters and allowed only three hits to close out the game.
The Broncos and Big Red bring the series to a close on Sunday, March 15. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Stephen Schott Stadium.
