May 7, 2008
STOCKTON, Calif. - The Santa Clara baseball team lost a hard-fought midweek contest to Pacific, 11-7, Wednesday night at Klein Family Field. The Broncos rallied back to make it a two run game in the bottom of the eighth but could not prevent the Tigers from adding on two runs to bring the game to a close.
With the loss, Santa Clara is now 29-18 on the season, while Pacific improved to 10-34. The loss went to SCU's Justin Kuehn (1-2). The win was awarded to Andrew Mintun (2-0), while Thomas Berolzheimer earned his third save of the season.
Juniors Matt Long and Brady Fuerst each scored two runs for the Broncos, while sophomore Tommy Medica drove in three runs. Medica and redshirt senior Nathan Faulkner also registered home runs for SCU.
The Tigers compiled three runs over the first two innings and held the Broncos scoreless. All three runs were solo home runs. However, in the top of the third inning, Medica launched a three-run homer over the left field wall to knot the score, 3-3. Long, who singled, and Fuerst, who reached on a fielder's choice, both advanced home on the shot.
However, Pacific reclaimed control of the scoreboard with a four run outing in the fourth inning. After Matt Fuson singled to left field, he scored on Joe Oliveira's double to center field. Adam Ching then doubled to bring home Oliveira and Nick Longmire drove in Ching with his base hit to center field. Longmire then scored the final run of the inning on John Joines' single. The Tigers led 7-3.
Pacific inched ahead in the fifth and seventh innings taking a 9-4 advantage going into the eighth inning. Santa Clara scored its fourth run in the top of the seventh as Long reached home before the double play was completed. Long walked to get on base.
SCU pushed itself in striking distance of catching Pacific in the eighth inning. Faulkner opened things up with a solo homer to left field that made the score 9-5. Fuerst, who singled to left field, scored as Medica reached first on an error by the Tigers' third baseman Walker. Evan LeBlanc earned the final run of the inning as Ryan Conan singled to left field. Medica advanced to third on an error in the outfield but was unable to score as Conan was putout at second base for the final out. Pacific led 9-7.
Santa Clara could not, however, hold off UOP as the Tigers scored two more runs in their half of the eighth inning. Sean Sullivan and Joines scored on a Walker double.
Although the Broncos were able to get a runner in scoring position with just one out on the board in the top of the ninth, the Tigers were able to quickly post two outs to finish up the game.
The Broncos return to action on Friday, May 9 against the Gaels of Saint Mary's. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Stephen Schott Stadium. Santa Clara and SMC continue action in the weekend West Coast Conference series on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m., in Santa Clara.
