Feb. 24, 2009
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara baseball team returns to the Mission Campus this week to open the 2009 home schedule against California. The Broncos and Golden Bears battle on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at Stephen Schott Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Bronco Watch
Leading the Broncos after the opening weekend are juniors Jon Karcich and Tommy Medica. Karcich batted .429 over the weekend with a run, a RBI and a double. He was also 2-for-3 on stolen bases. Medica launched Santa Clara's first home run of the season against NC State and batted .357 for the weekend. He had four runs, two doubles and two RBIs. On the mound, junior Nate Garcia and sophomore Thain Simon each earned wins, while Steve Kalush picked up his first save of the year.
Last Time Out
The Broncos began the 2009 campaign on a strong note with 2-1 mark at the Summit Hospitality Invitational hosted by NC State. Santa Clara posted 3-0 shutout of Xavier in which Geoff Klein registered the three RBIs. SCU then pounded a 10-1 victory over Rhode Island on Saturday. The Broncos, however, faced their first setback, 9-3, against the Wolfpack of NC State on Sunday.
Scouting Cal
The Golden Bears enter the midweek game with a 2-2 record after losing a three-game weekend series with UC Riverside (1-2) and edging Vanderbilt, 4-3, on Monday. Against the Commodores, Erik Johnson earned the win after 1.1 innings of relief work. Mark Canha had a home run and Jeff Kobernus drove in two runs. On the season thus far, Canha leads the team with a .429 average, four runs, three RBIs and two home runs. On the mound, Erik Johnson and Yasser Clor are 1-0, while Brian Diemer has gone 7.2 innings and struck our eight batters.
Last Time vs. Cal
The Broncos and Bears split last year's series 1-1. SCU earned a 7-5 extra inning victory on March 25 against then-No. 11 Cal. Matt Long hit a walk-off home run for the win. The then-No. 5 Golden Bears posted a 16-8 win on April 9 in Berkeley.
All-Time vs. Cal
Wednesday's contest marks the 220th meeting of the two programs. Cal leads the all-time series 123-90-6.
Follow The Broncos Online
Fans can watch and listen to all of Santa Clara's home games this season via Bronco All-Access on www.SantaClaraBroncos.com. This Wednesday Will Peregrine will call the action from Schott Stadium. Free live stats via GameTracker are also available.
O'Brien Gets 200
With a 3-0 shutout of Xavier Friday morning, the Broncos handed eighth year head coach Mark O'Brien his 200th career victory (201-191). He joined John Oldham and Sal Taormina as the only Bronco baseball head coaches earn 200 wins.
Garcia Named WCC Co-Pitcher of the Week
Junior Garcia was named the West Coast Conference's Co-Pitcher of the Week after leading the Broncos to a 3-0 shutout over Xavier in the season opener. He shares the honor with Gonzaga's Cody Martin. Garcia tossed 7.0 innings and struck out eight batters. The 6-foot-1 righty allowed no runs and just three Musketeer hits. It is his third career weekly honor from the WCC.
,b>Lights! Camera! Action!
Santa Clara will return to the bright lights of national television this season. The Broncos' final game against the Toreros of San Diego on April 5 with be aired on ESPNU. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. from Stephen Schott Stadium. Last season, Santa Clara played Bay Area rival Stanford in two games televised on CBS College Sports. The Broncos are 1-1 in TV games.
On Deck
SCU continues action this weekend with a three-game series against San Jose State. The Broncos travel down the Alameda on Friday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, March 1 at 1 p.m. to play the Spartans at Municipal Stadium. Santa Clara will host SJSU on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 1 p.m.
