April 19, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara baseball series against West Coast Conference rival San Francisco evened to one game each as the Dons posted a 4-3 win over the Broncos Saturday night at Stephen Schott Stadium. With the loss, SCU is now 20-15 on the season and 6-5 in WCC play, while the Dons improved to 22-16 overall and 6-5 in league action.
The win was awarded to Matt Baugh who tossed a complete game for the Dons but only struck out two Broncos. The loss went to starter Thain Simon. He went six innings and struck out eight batters.
Offensively, Evan LeBlanc led Santa Clara, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs.
The Dons were first to get on the scoreboard with two runs in the top of the second inning. Tavo Hall doubled down the right field line in the middle of the half inning to send two runners home. Zach Kim, who had a base-hit, and Derek Poppert, who doubled to left field, were the players to score for USF.
Brady Fuerst then registered his fourth homer of the season and the Broncos third home run of the series in his first at-bat of the day. His shot, in the leadoff spot of the third inning, went over the left field wall. However, the Dons continued to lead 2-1.
USF added on two more runs to climb to 4-1 lead in their half of the fourth inning. Poppert scores his second run of the game on a Hall single and then Hall advanced home on a Connor Bernatz double down the left field line.
Both teams were scoreless for three innings before the Broncos posted a two-run bottom of the seventh. With two outs on the board and bases loaded, LeBlanc singled through the left side, allowing Gabe Alcantar and Geoff Klein to score. Both runners posted base-hits in their respective at-bats.
However, Santa Clara could not catch USF and both teams return to being tied for third place in conference play.
The Broncos and Dons close out the series on Sunday, April 20 at Stephen Schott Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.¬