April 25, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara baseball team posted its second shutout of the season Friday night as the Broncos posted a 10-0 rout of the Vulcans of Hawaii-Hilo before the mercy rule was used at the end of the seventh inning. With the win, the Broncos improved to 23-16 on the season, while the Vulcans dropped to 13-24 overall.
Starting pitcher Nate Garcia (5-2) earned his fifth win of the season after six innings of work allowing just three hits and striking out six batters. Relief pitcher Joe Supple logged an inning of work, striking out three. The loss was issued to Brian Shannon. He is now 1-4 on the season.
Shortstop Jon Karcich led the Broncos going 3-for-4 with four runs drove in and one home run. Ryan Conan posted three RBIs, while Matt Long and LeBlanc both scored two runs for the Broncos.
After a quick top of the first dealt to the Vulcans by Garcia, SCU rallied for seven runs to take control of the scoreboard. Conan drove in the first two runs for Santa Clara with his base-hit. Evan LeBlanc and Long scored on the play. Long got on base with a leadoff single, while LeBlanc got on board with a single through the right side that advanced Long to third base.
Karcich then gave the Broncos a 5-0 advantage with his three-run homer to left field. The shot was his nine home run of the season. Back to the top of the lineup, Long drove in his first run of the game with a double down the right field line that allowed Gabe Alcantar to score. The final run of the inning was scored by second baseman David Abraham, who advanced home after LeBlanc reached first on an error by Hawaii-Hilo's catcher Matthew Haasenritter. SCU held a 7-0 lead.
The Broncos' defense quickly retired the Vulcans in the top of the second inning, allowing Santa Clara's bats to score an additional run.
In his second at-bat of the game, Karcich posted an RBI single through the left side that brought home designated hitter Geoff Klein. Klein got on base with single and then advanced to second on a balk. The Broncos led the Vulcans, 8-0.
Both teams were held scoreless for the next four innings. The Broncos tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the seventh before the mercy rule was used and the game was brought to a close. Long, who walked, and LeBlanc, who reached on an error, both scored for Santa Clara.
Santa Clara out-hit UHH, 13-3, while the Vulcans posted four errors.
The Broncos and Vulcans continue action on Saturday, April 26. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Stephen Schott Stadium in Santa Clara.
