April 24, 2009
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara baseball team was edged 6-5 Friday night by Gonzaga in West Coast Conference action. The Broncos held a 5-3 lead going into the ninth inning, but the Bulldogs fought back to knot the score and win the game. With the loss, SCU dropped to 15-22 on the season and 4-9 in league play. Gonzaga improved to 26-13 overall and 8-5 in the WCC.
Senior Kevin Madden and junior Jon Karcich scored two runs each, while freshman Andrew Biancardi posted two RBIs. Starting pitcher Nate Garcia registered a game-high seven strikeouts in eight innings of work.
The win went to Reedy Berg (3-3), who tossed three innings of no-run relief. The save was awarded to Cody Martin. It was his third of the season. The loss went to Alex Rivers (3-3). He gave up three runs on three hits in the top of the ninth.
After two quick innings, the Broncos tallied three runs to take control of the ball game. Kyle Van Dusen had a base hit and Matt Long reached on a fielder's choice. Madden then walked to load the bases. The first run of the game was scored on a Karcich single to right field. Madden then scored on a Geoff Klein base hit. The bases remained full as Brady Fuerst singled to right field to plate Karcich for the third and final run of the inning. Santa Clara led 3-0.
SCU increased its lead to five runs in the fifth inning. Madden hit a leadoff single and then advanced to second on a Karcich base hit. The pair advanced on stolen bases and then scored on an Biancardi single to left field.
However, the Bulldogs ended the shutout in the sixth inning with three runs. Ryan Wiegand, Anthony Synegal and Grant Kveder scored for GU. Then in the top of the ninth, Gonzaga took the lead with a one-out three run rally. Wiegand, Evan Wells and Chris Sturdivant tallied the final three runs of the game.
The Broncos could not respond in the bottom of the inning as the Zags won the first game of the series, 6-5.
The Broncos and Bulldogs continue the series on Saturday, April 25 at 6 p.m. The series then comes to a close on Sunday, April 26 at 1 p.m.
