April 1, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara baseball team will host the University of Pacific Tigers Wednesday night at Schott Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Last Time Out For The Broncos
On Monday, SCU rallied for six runs in the seventh inning to defeat WSU, 7-5, at Schott Stadium. After five scoreless innings in which the Broncos were limited to just three hits, Ryan Conan's single to through the right side scored Evan LeBlanc to put Santa Clara on the scoreboard 5-1. SCU then produced a six-run bottom of the seventh inning to knot the score and take a two-run lead. The tying run for SCU came on Geoff Klein double down the left field line that allowed Conan to score. David Abraham, who earned his first start at second base, then hit a two-run double to right field to bring home Klein and Gabe Alcantar to give Santa Clara the 7-5 win.
On The Season
Santa Clara enters the midweek contest with a 15-9 overall record and is currently riding a three-game win streak. The Broncos have also won four of their last five contests, which include wins over nationally-recognized opponents Cal, San Diego and Washington State. Thain Simon leads the Broncos pitching with a 0.90 ERA and a 6-0 record. At bat, LeBlanc remains atop the Broncos stats list, hitting .379 with 22 runs, 9 doubles, three home runs and 18 RBIs.
Bronco Balloting
SCU is back to receiving votes this week as it posted a successful week against ranked opponents. The Broncos are receiving votes in the National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association's Top 25 as well as the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll.
Simon Earns Weekly Honors
Freshman righty Simon earned Co-West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Week honors after a successful week on the mound. An El Dorado Hills native, Simon earned a win against then-No. 11 Cal and posted two saves against then-No. 14 San Diego. For the week, he pitched six innings, striking out 10 of 18 batters and allowed no runs and just one hit.
Simon also received props from Ping! Baseball as he was named one of four spotlight players of the week and was dubbed "one of the best young pitchers in West."
On the season, Simon owns a 0.90 ERA and a 6-0 record. In 20.0 innings of work, he's struck out 27 batters and allowed only four runs. He is the second Bronco to receive weekly honors for the WCC this season as LeBlanc was named Player of the Week for his performance on opening weekend.
Scouting Pacific
The Tigers enter Wednesday's game with a 5-19 overall record, going 2-8 on the road and will look to snap its five game drought against the Broncos. Nick Longmire leads the Tigers batting .338 with 11 runs, two homers, three triples and eight RBIs. It has not been announced who the Broncos will face on the mound. Five different pitchers have registered wins for Pacific with Mark McCain leading the way with tossing 37.1 innings in nine appearances. He has a 3.62 ERA and has struck out 38 batters.
All-Time vs. Pacific
The two teams met earlier this season on Feb. 27 in Stockton, with Santa Clara storming to a 15-6 triumph. In the overall series, Santa Clara leads 72-37-0.
On Deck
The Broncos return to action over the weekend as they host the Pilots of Portland in their WCC home opener. The three game series begins on Friday, April 4 at 7 p.m. at Schott Stadium. Saturday and Sunday's contests will begin at 6 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectfully.
