May 18, 2009
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - The Santa Clara baseball team rallied back to come within one-run Monday night; however, the Broncos were edged 5-4 by the Mustangs of No. 19/25 Cal Poly to bring the 2009 season to a close. With the loss, the teams split the series, 1-1.
The Broncos finished the year with a 19-34 overall record, while the Mustangs enter their final Big West weekend series with a 36-17 season mark. Santa Clara out-hit Cal Poly 10-9, but was hurt by five errors.
Sophomore first baseman Curtis Wagner scored two runs for the Broncos, while senior rightfielder Kevin Madden posted a game-high three this and two RBIs.
The win went to Jared Eskew (6-2). He tossed six innings, striking out two and surrendering all four Santa Clara runs. Eric Massingham garnered the save, his fifth of the year. The loss went to freshman RHP Paul Twining (0-2). He tossed five innings, struck out four and gave up all five of Cal Poly's runs, three of which were earned. Redshirt freshman RHP Jason Westerberg made his 25th appearance of the year in relief. He successfully retired all nine batters he faced in three innings of work.
After three and a half silent innings, Cal Poly jumped onto the scoreboard with three runs in the fourth inning. Luke Yoder hit a leadoff double to left field and then advanced to third on a Bobby Crocker ground out. J.J. Thompson then drove in the first run of the game with an infield base hit. He was put out at second as Justin Hensley reached on a fielder's choice. After stealing second, Hensley scored on a Bronco throwing error. The final run of the inning was plated by Adam Melker, who tripled to centerfield, scoring Ryan Lee. Melker tried to make it home but was out at home after a monstrous game of catch by centerfielder Matt Long, leftfielder Juan Parra, shortstop Jon Karcich and catcher Geoff Klein, who made the out. The Mustangs led 3-0.
The Broncos then made it a one-run game in the top of the fifth inning. Senior second baseman Brady Fuerst singled through the left side to get on base and then advanced on a one-out base hit from Wagner. With a Madden double down the left field line, Fuerst scored Santa Clara's first run. Senior third baseman Kyle Van Dusen then flied out to centerfield for the sacrifice that plated Wagner. SCU trailed 3-2.
However, the Mustangs pulled ahead with solo home runs in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings from Adam Buschini and Crocker. Cal Poly held a 5-2 lead over Santa Clara until the seventh inning.
Freshman DH Andrew Biancardi got on base with a single and then scored on a Wagner double to right centerfield. Wagner scored Santa Clara's final run of the game off another Madden double. With no outs on the board, Van Dusen advanced Madden to third with a sacrifice bunt. The rightfielder tried to make it home for the tying run was out as Parra reached on an error by catcher Hensley, who then made the out at home. Parra then attempted to make it from first to home on a Long single through the right side, but he was the third out of the inning as Crocker threw a strike to Hensley for the out at home.
The Broncos tried again in the ninth inning to knot the game with a two-out single from Madden. But he was left stranded at first as the final batter was struck out by Massingham.
