May 10, 2009
MORAGA, Calif. - Senior outfielder Matt Long scored three runs and had two RBIs to lift the Santa Clara baseball team to an 8-2 victory over Saint Mary's in West Coast Conference action Sunday afternoon. With the victory, the Broncos won the series 2-1.
Santa Clara (19-29, 6-12 WCC) out-hit Saint Mary's (28-26, 9-12 WCC) 13-5, while SMC committed two errors to SCU's one.
Junior RHP Alex Rivers (5-4) earned his second career complete game victory. He struck out eight and retired his last 10 of 13 batters. He gave up just two runs on five hits. The loss went to Nathan Gonzales (3-3). He tossed 1.2 innings and surrendered four runs.
Freshman Andrew Biancardi posted a game-high three RBIs, while junior Geoff Klein led the game with three hits. He also had one run and two RBIs.
Santa Clara started off strong claiming a 4-0 lead in the first two innings. Juan Parra opened the game with a leadoff walk and then advanced to third on a Kyle Van Dusen single through the right side. As Van Dusen was put out at second, Long reached and Parra scored the first run of the game. Klein then singled to advance Long to second. With a walk dealt to Brady Fuerst, the bases were loaded. With two outs on the board, Biancardi singled through the left side to bring in run No. 2. However, a Curtis Wagner groundout brought the inning to a close before anymore runs were scored.
In the second inning, the Broncos picked up right from where they left off. Parra was pitched another walk and he advanced on a Van Dusen sacrifice bunt. With a Long single to right field, Parra scored the third run of the game. After a pitching change, Klein singled to left field allowing Long to score. SCU led 4-0.
However, SMC ended the no-hitter in the third inning as Anthony Aliotti homered to right centerfield. It was the team's lone run until the sixth inning. During that time, Rivers retired seven straight before surrendering his second hit of the game.
In the sixth inning, the Gaels cut the lead in half with a one run. Cory Miller reached on a fielder's choice as Michael Gastelum was put out at second base. Miller then advanced to second on a groundout and scored on a Ryan Channing base hit to left field.
The Broncos had opportunities in the fifth and sixth innings as Kevin Madden and Ian O'Connor, who earned his first collegiate start at shortstop for an injured Jon Karcich, each registered base hits. Yet, it wasn't until the ninth inning that the Broncos were able to pull ahead.
SCU exploded for four runs with a two-out rally in the ninth to reach the final score. The Broncos quickly got into a two-out hole, but climbed their way out with back-to-back doubles from Long and Klein put one more run on the board. Long scored. Fuerst then advanced Klein to third with a base hit and the catcher went on to score on an error by third baseman Troy Channing. With runners on first and second, Biancardi doubled to left field, plating the final two runs in Fuerst and Madden.
Santa Clara returns to the Mission Campus for its final home game of the 2009 season on Tuesday, May 12 against UC Davis. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Stephen Schott Stadium.
