April 27, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara baseball team competed the sweep of the University of Hawaii at Hilo Sunday afternoon with a 10-4 triumph at Stephen Schott Stadium. With the win, the Broncos improved to 25-16 on the season, while the Vulcans dropped to 13-26.
Sophomore Alex Rivers (3-2) earned his third win of the season after 5.2 innings of work. The loss was awarded to Clayton Uyechi (1-3). He tossed two innings, allowing four hits and two runs.
Senior Gabe Alcantar led the Broncos offensively as he went 2-for-3 with one home run, two runs and two RBIs, while Matt Long also registered a home run.
For the first time in the series, Hawaii-Hilo scored first taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Ronel Trias scored for the Vulcans on a Michael Higa single up the middle. Trias got on base with a lead-off single.
However, Santa Clara responded with a run of its own in the bottom of the inning. Long continued his hot hitting streak with a solo home run to right field. It was the first home run Uyechi gave up this season. The score was tied 1-1.
The Broncos held off the Vulcans in their half of the second inning, although Shane Kessel did make his way into a scoring position. In its half of the inning, SCU tacked on an additional run as junior second baseman Brady Fuerst tallied an RBI single that brought home Jon Karcich. The sophomore shortstop got on base with a single. Santa Clara led, 2-1.
In the top of the third UHH nearly tied the score but that was if Long didn't have a say in the matter. With Keoni Manago at second base, A.J. Satele attempted the sacrifice as he flew out to right field. Long made the second out and then stopped Manago from reaching third as he fired the ball all the way to third base for the pick off to end the inning.
The Broncos scored two more runs in the fourth inning to claim a 4-1 advantage. Karcich reached on a fielder's choice in the second at-bat of the inning and was then brought home on Alcantar's fifth home run of the season.
The Vulcans were not giving up and began to close the gap in the fifth inning. Higa made the score 4-2 as he drove home Trias with his single to left field. UHH then made it a one-run game, 4-3, in the top of the sixth as Matt Haasenritter scored on a Trias bases loaded single.
The Broncos let loose in the bottom of the sixth inning as they scored four runs, all of which were brought home with two outs on the board. Karcich, Alcantar and Fuerst loaded the bases for Long. However, Karcich was put out at home while Long kept the bases full for junior LeBlanc. With two outs on the board, the leftfielder sent one to Peter Rodgers in right field, who dropped the ball allowing LeBlanc to reach and Fuerst and Alcantar score.
Two outs remained on the board in the half and Tommy Medica came to bat with runners on the corners. The sophomore designated hitter hit a solid double to right centerfield that brought home LeBlanc and Long. Santa Clara led 8-3.
Centerfielder Nathan Faulkner increased Santa Clara's lead in the seventh inning as he stole home to make the score 9-3. The redshirt senior got on base with a leadoff walk.
Faulkner then helped the Broncos reach 10 runs for the third straight contest as he drove in Patrick Glenn, who replaced LeBlanc in left field at the top of the inning. Glenn got on base with a single to right field and advanced to second on a Conan groundout. SCU held a 10-3 lead.
The Vulcans added on a run in the ninth inning to make the final score, 10-4. Trias scored on a Higa groundout.
The Broncos return to action on Monday, April 28 against the Cardinal of Stanford at Schott Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. on CBS College Sports.
