March 31, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara baseball team compiled a six run rally in the seventh inning to defeat Washington State, 7-5, Monday afternoon. With the win, the Broncos improved to 15-9 on the season and have won four of their last five games.
Starting pitcher Matt Wickswat (1-0) earned the win for the Broncos, while redshirt sophomore Mark Willinsky registered his first save of the season. In seven innings of work, Wickswat struck out a season-high nine Cougar batters.
Offensively for Santa Clara, Ryan Conan, Gabe Alcantar and David Abraham drove in two runs each, while Evan LeBlanc scored two runs for the Broncos.
After five scoreless innings in which the Broncos were limited to just three hits, Conan's single to through the right side scored LeBlanc to put Santa Clara on the scoreboard 5-1. The Cougars earned four of their runs in the first innings and added their fifth run in their half of the sixth.
SCU then produced a six-run bottom of the seventh inning to knot the score and take a two-run lead.
The Broncos half of the inning started with a Brady Fuerst walk. Fuerst then score on a Conan single to center field. Santa Clara trailed 5-2. Alcantar then launched a two RBI single up the middle to bring home LeBlanc and Long. LeBlanc got one base after being hit by a pitch, while Long singled through the right side. The Broncos trailed 5-4.
The tying run for SCU came on Geoff Klein double down the left field line that allowed Conan to score. Abraham, who earned his first start at second base, then hit a two-run double to right field to bring home Klein and Alcantar to give Santa Clara the 7-5 win.
Willinsky, who came in the eighth inning, tossed 2.0 innings allowing just two hits and striking out four Cougars to register the save.
The Broncos return to action on Wednesday, April 2 against the Tigers of Pacific. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Stephen Schott Stadium.
