March 31, 2009
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara baseball team lost its fifth straight contest Tuesday night as the Broncos fell 14-4 to the Dirtbags of Long Beach State. Long Beach State out-hit Santa Clara 17-11 as the Broncos dropped to 10-12 on the season, while the Dirtbags improved to 11-12.
The win was awarded to Jason Markovitz (1-0). He went three innings with three hits and no runs. The loss went to redshirt sophomore Cory Hall (0-3). He tossed seven innings, gave up 10 runs and struck out six batters.
T. J. Mittelstaedt led the game with four RBIs for the Dirtbags. Freshman DH Andrew Biancardi tied the game-high three hits while junior shortstop Jon Karcich drove in two of the Broncos runs. Junior catcher Geoff Klein was 2-for-5 with a home run and an RBI.
The Dirtbags jumped to a quick 9-0 leads with one run in the first inning, one run in the third inning and seven runs in the fourth. Santa Clara was finally able to break through the silence in the bottom of the fourth with two runs. Geoff Klein started things off with his third home run of the season. Brady Fuerst followed after doubling down the left field line. He was driven home on a base hit from Chris Morton.
Both teams added a run in the fifth innings. Derek Legg scored for Long Beach State on a sacrifice fly from Kip Masuda. J.R. Graham was plated for Santa Clara on a Karcich double.
The Broncos held the Dirtbags scoreless for three straight innings as they attempted to close in on the gap. In the seventh inning, SCU scored what would wind up being its last run of the game on another Karcich double down the left field line. This time Matt Long was brought home. He walked to get on base. Santa Clara trailed 10-4.
Long Beach State rallied for four final runs in the ninth inning. All were scored on home runs. Mittelstaedt began with a solo homer to right field. Rylan Sandoval then homered to centerfield. Legg singled through the right side and was brought home on a Brennan Metzger homer to left field.
The Broncos return to action on Wednesday, Apr. 1 on the road against the Cardinal of Stanford. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Sunken Diamond.
