Feb. 11, 2006
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Eric Newton's RBI double to the left field wall in the bottom of the eighth drove in the winning run as Santa Clara came back from a three-run deficit to defeat San Diego State, 4-3, Friday evening at Stephen Schott Stadium. The loss dropped the Aztecs to 1-4 on the year while the Broncos won for the second time in five outings.
SDSU took a 1-0 lead in the second, scoring an unearned run as Curt Mendoza opened the frame with a single and advanced to third when Jordan Swaydan's bunt was thrown away by Santa Clara starter Sean O'Neill. Mendoza scored one out later on a ground out to second off the bat of Nick Romero.
The Aztecs extended their advantage to 3-0 in the fifth as Quintin Berry hit a two-RBI single that brought in Romero and Brock Ungricht, who had walked and singled respectively to start the inning.
The home side began its comeback in the bottom of the fifth, getting a run off Aztec starter Bruce Billings on a walk, single, sac bunt and ground out. The Broncos tied the game in the next inning on an infield single by Kevin Drever and a safety squeeze by Michael Lange.
Billings, who was not involved in the decision, went 5.1 innings, giving up three earned runs while striking out six. Likewise, Santa Clara starter Sean O'Neill was not involved in the decision after tossing seven innings and allowing three runs (two earned) to go with four strikeouts.
San Diego State had a chance to take the lead in the top of the eighth as it put its first two batters (Sam Pepper and Paul Smyth) on base with bunt singles. However, Bronco reliever Daniel DeMarco struck out the next two hitters and retired the third on a foul pop-up to first.
Newton's game-winning hit in the bottom of the inning was preceded by a single off the bat of Daniel Nava. DeMarco, who pitched just the eighth inning, was the beneficiary of Newton's heroics, picking up the win to even his record at 1-1. SDSU's Mike Koons took the loss to fall to 1-1 as well.
Santa Clara closer Mark Willinsky pitched a perfect ninth inning to record his first save of the season.
The Aztecs and Broncos continue their three-game series on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. the game can be heard live on the Internet at www.goaztecs.com with Jack Cronin calling the play-by-play.
Santa Clara 4, San Diego State 3SDS 010 020 000 - 3 7 0SCU 000 012 01x - 4 8 2Billings, Koons (6) and SwaydanO'Neill, DeMarco (8), Willinsky (9) and WattsW - DeMarco (1-1)L - Koons (1-1)Sv - Willinsky (1)HR - NoneTime - 3:04Att. - 565