May 6, 2009
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Bronco bats were alive Wednesday night as Santa Clara baseball topped Stanford, 13-9, at Stephen Schott Stadium. The Broncos improved to 17-28 on the season, while the Cardinal dropped to 23-20. Even though SCU came away with the win, Stanford took the season series 3-1.
Receiving his first collegiate win was redshirt sophomore Cory Hall (1-4), while freshman J.R. Graham earned his first career save. Hall tossed 4.2 innings of relief, giving up seven hits and six runs. Graham went two innings and surrendered three hits and no runs. Freshman starter Paul Twining struck out four batters in 2.1 innings. The loss went to Brian Busick (1-1). He gave up three runs on three hits in just one inning.
Senior Kevin Madden led Santa Clara at the plate. He went 4-for-4 with three runs and an RBI. Fellow senior Brady Fuerst posted in a game-high four RBIs. He was one of two Broncos to hit a home run as Graham also hit his first collegiate homer. For Stanford, Brent Milleville also recorded four RBIs, while Toby Gerhart had two runs and two RBIs.
The Broncos out-hit the Cardinal 18-13, and scored 10 of their 13 runs with two outs on the board.
The Cardinal came out swinging in the first inning and quickly scored two run, before Twining struck out the final two batters. The Broncos responded in the home half with three runs off Fuerst's second home run of the season. Jon Karcich, who singled up the middle, and Madden, who had a base hit to right field, were also plated. Santa Clara led 3-2.
SCU shutout Stanford in the top of the second and then proceeded to tack on four runs in the bottom of the inning. It was the second time this season the Broncos scored seven runs in the first two innings.
Senior Kyle Van Dusen hit a one-out double to right field and then scored on Graham's home run to left field. Senior Matt Long followed with a four pitch walk and was then driven home on a Madden double to right field. Madden scored the final run of the inning on a Geoff Klein single up the middle. It was Klein's team-leading 51st RBI of the season. The Broncos led 7-2.
Stanford was able to counter with one run in the third inning, but Santa Clara produced another four runs in the fourth inning to claim an 11-3 advantage.
Long opened the inning with a leadoff single and then advanced on a Madden sacrifice. Klein helped Long advance to third with an infield single. A double down the left field line from Fuerst brought home Long. Both Klein and Fuerst then scored on a Curtis Wagner single to right field. After a Cardinal pitching change and two outs on the board, freshman designated hitter Andrew Biancardi singled to left field to bring home Wagner. Unfortunately, he was stranded on base as Van Dusen grounded out.
However, Stanford rallied in the fifth inning. Shortstop Jake Schlander hit a lead off double and then scored on a Joey August ground out for run No. 1. The Cardinal then loaded the bases with two singles and a walk for first baseman Brent Milleville. The senior registered a 2-2 count home run to right centerfield for his second grand slam of the year. SCU held an 11-8 edge going into the eighth inning as both teams were held scoreless through the next two innings. Yet, Stanford made it an 11-9 game with a base hit from Schlander that plated Zach Jones. But the Broncos prevailed.
In the bottom of the eighth, Santa Clara added two runs for the final score. Madden posted his fourth hit of the game with a single through the left side. He made it to third on a Klein base hit and then scored on a passed ball. Klein scored the final run of the game on a Wagner double to left centerfield.
The Cardinal didn't give up easily as two runners got on base in the ninth inning, but Graham pulled off the save as he struck out two and Milleville grounded out.
SCU returns to WCC action on the road this weekend at Saint Mary's. The Broncos and Gaels open the series on Friday, May 8 at 3 p.m. The series continues with games on Saturday and Sunday, both starting at 1 p.m. All three games will be played at Louis Guisto Field in Moraga.
