Feb. 26, 2009
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara baseball team takes on cross-county rival San Jose State in a three-game series this weekend. It begins on Friday, Feb. 27 with a 6 p.m. first pitch at Municipal Stadium. The Spartans then visit Schott Stadium for a 1 p.m. game on Saturday, Feb. 28. The series comes to a close on Sunday, March 1 at 1 p.m. at Municipal Stadium.
Last Time Out
The Broncos faced their second straight setback of the season to the Golden Bears of Cal on Wednesday. The final score was 12-2. Matt Long hit his first home run of the season, while Jon Karcich had an RBI double that plated Geoff Klein.
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 Saturday Stephen Hobbs will call the action from Schott Stadium. Free live stats via GameTracker are also available. Both games played at San Jose State this weekend will have free live audio via KSJS (90.5 FM) and ksjs.org.
Bronco Watch
Karcich and Tommy Medica continue to lead the Broncos at the plate. Karcich is hitting .364, while Medica is batting .333. Both Medica and Long have registered home runs for Santa Clara this season. Long also leads with four RBIs, while Klein and Curtis Wagner have three each. On the mound, Nate Garcia, Thain Simon and Reece Kiriu hold a 0.00 ERA. Both Garcia and Simon picked up wins last weekend.
Scouting San Jose State
The Spartans enter the weekend with a 4-0 record after sweeping their opening weekend series against Saint Joseph's (Pa.). The Broncos will battle two pitchers that earned wins last weekend - David Berner (0.00, 10K) and Scott Sobczak (1.80, 2K). At bat, Alex Sofranac and Bryson Rahier are hitting .500, while Karson Klauer leads with five RBIs.
Last Time vs. San Jose State
In 2008, the Broncos won the series, 2-1. SCU earned both its wins at home. For the series, Karcich, Medica and Brady Fuerst batted .417, while Fuerst had five runs and three RBIs.
All-Time vs. San Jose State
Wednesday's contest marks the 197th meeting of the two programs. Santa Clara leads the all-time series 117-79-0.
On Deck
SCU takes to the road for a six game road swing that begins on March 3 at Sacramento State. The Broncos then travel to Eugene, Ore., to battle the Ducks of the University of Oregon in a four game series on March 6-8. Santa Clara returns to the Golden State with a March 11 match-up at UC Davis.
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 (201-192). 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 Nate 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.
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 will 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.
