April 18, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara baseball team produced its first shutout of the season with an 8-0 triumph over the University of San Francisco Friday night at Schott Stadium. Sophomore Nate Garcia pitched his second complete game of the season, striking out a season-high nine batters. With the win, the Broncos improved to 20-14 on the season and 6-4 in West Coast Conference action, while the Dons fell to 21-15 overall and 5-5 in league play.
The Broncos scored for five consecutive innings, starting with one run in the fourth. Shortstop Jon Karcich went 4-for-4, while Nathan Faulkner went 2-for-4 with a career-high four RBIs.
Both teams were held scoreless for through three and a half innings, before the Broncos were able to get on the scoreboard. Santa Clara took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Ryan Conan doubled to center field to get on base and then was brought home by Faulkner, who produced his own double. This shot went down the right field line allowing Conan to score.
Santa Clara continued to widen its lead in its half of the fifth inning as the Broncos added on another run. Shortstop Karcich posted a leadoff double to left center field, his 12th of the season, to get on base. He then advanced to third on a Gabe Alcantar single up the middle. Karcich then scored on after Brady Fuerst flied out to left field for the first out of the inning. The Broncos led 2-0.
The Broncos continued their scoring streak in the bottom of the sixth inning as Faulkner launched a three-run homer over the left field wall. Scoring along with the redshirt senior center fielder was catcher Tommy Medica and first baseman Conan. Both Medica and Conan got on base with singles through the left side. SCU held a 5-0 lead at the end of the inning.
Matt Long pushed the Broncos' scored to 6-0 in their half of the seventh with a solo home run over the right center field wall. It was his sixth homer of the season.
Long then produced a two RBI single through the right side to give Santa Clara an 8-0 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. The base-hit brought home pinch runner Patrick Glenn and Karcich. Glenn came in to run for leadoff hitter Geoff Klein, who had a base hit. Karcich got on base with a single through the left side. Both players advanced on an Alcantar single to shallow right field.
SCU outhit USF 11-4. It was the lowest hitting game for the Dons since March 11, when they had just four hits against the Golden Bears of California.
The Broncos and Dons continue action in the WCC series on Saturday, April 19 at 6 p.m.
