April 29, 2009
SAN JOSE - Freshman Andrew Biancardi hit his first collegiate triple to get things rolling for the Santa Clara baseball team Wednesday night at San Jose State. However, after 10 long innings, the Spartans edged the Broncos 7-6 to sweep the non-conference cross-county rivalry series.
Biancardi lone hit of the day drove in a season-high three runs of the game. Junior Geoff Klein went 3-for-5 with a run, while senior Matt Long hit is fourth home run of the season. For SJSU, Jacob Bruns was 3-for-3 with four runs and Corey Valine tied the game-high three RBIs.
The win was awarded to Trevor Gibson (2-0). He tossed 2.2 innings, striking out a game-high three batters and giving up just one run on three hits. The loss went to freshman J.R. Graham (0-2). The game-winning run was charged to him in the 10th inning.
San Jose State improved to 31-14, while Santa Clara dropped to 15-25 overall. The Broncos out-hit the Spartans 16-10.
Senior outfielder Kevin Madden singled to get on base and then advance on a pass ball. The reached third on a throwing error during a failed pickoff attempt. The next to batters, Klein and Brady Fuerst, were both hit by a pitch to load the bases. Biancardi then came to bat and cleared the bases with a triple to left centerfield. Sophomore first baseman Curtis Wagner then singled to centerfield to bring home Biancardi. However, Wagner was caught stealing to close out the inning. SCU lead 4-0.
After a leadoff walk to Craig Hertler from freshman RHP Paul Twining, the Broncos turned a double play as John Shaffer lined out to Kyle Van Dusen at third base. Santa Clara successfully got out of the inning with no damage as Jason Martin was put out at second base.
The Broncos tacked on another run in the second inning to claim a 5-0 lead. After facing two quick outs, Long reached on a fielder's choice and then scored on a Madden double. However, San Jose State broke through the silence to score a run in the home half of the inning. Bruns hit a double on the first pitch and then scored on a Kyle Bellows base hit. Santa Clara led 5-1.
It was a quick inning and a half for Santa Clara, but in the bottom of the fourth San Jose State tallied three runs to make it a 5-4 game. Bruns and Anthony Bona walked to start off the inning. The duo advanced on a sacrifice and then scored on a Valine home run. Redshirt freshman Jason Westerberg was charged with two of the three runs as he came in for relief of Twining. The righty from Napa gave up one more hit before striking out Hertler and watching Shaffer fly out to Madden in right field.
Santa Clara had a solid opportunity in the fifth inning to widen the gap, but could not bring runners home. Madden singled through the left side to open the inning, but was then caught stealing. Jon Karcich got his first hit of the day but was then called out at third and he tried to take two bases on a Klein single through the right side. Fuerst also registered a base hit, but as Biancardi reached on a fielder's choice, Klein was put out at third to end the inning.
The Spartans then knotted things up in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs on the board, Bruns walked and then advanced on a passed ball. He advanced to third and then scored on a throwing error from Bronco shortstop Karcich.
The game was tied 5-5 and remained that way until the ninth inning.
Santa Clara took a one-run lead, 6-5, with a solo home run to right centerfield from Long. Although Klein registered his 18th double of the season two outs later, the Broncos could not bring in the insurance run as Klein was put out as he tried to make it to third on a Fuerst single to centerfield.
The Broncos just needed three quick outs to snap their six-game losing streak; but in the bottom of the ninth, the Spartans rallied to even the score at 6-6. Bruns scored his fourth run of the game as Bellows reached on a fielder choice. Bruns got on base with a double down the left field line and then advanced to third with a Tyler Heil single.
In the 10th inning, SCU fought hard to reclaim the lead. With one out, Wagner reached on a fielding error and then swiped his first collegiate bag to get into scoring position. However, he was left stranded as both Van Dusen and Lucas Herbst struck out.
Hertler scored the game-winning run for SJSU on a Josh Silver single. He was dealt a lead-off walk by Graham and then advanced to second on a Shaffer sacrifice bunt.
The Broncos continue non-conference play against the Aztecs of San Diego State this weekend at Stephen Schott Stadium. The series opens on Friday, May 1 at 6 p.m. and continues with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday, May 2. The series concludes on Sunday, May 3 with a 1 p.m. first pitch.
Be sure to come out this weekend for all the fun festivities as Friday night is 80's Music Night and Costume Contest. Prior to Saturday's doubleheader Santa Clara will honor its eight graduating seniors and Sunday is Fan Appreciation Day with tons of prizes and giveaways.
