SPOKANE, Wash. — There's no such thing as an easy victory against this 2024 Santa Clara University baseball team.
Friday, the Broncos came from behind to overcome a multi-run deficit, even taking a lead, then sent the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning before host Gonzaga was able to survive and escape with a 7-5 West Coast Conference series-opening win at Patterson Baseball Complex.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Broncos (15-12, 3-4 WCC) scored four runs in the top of the sixth to erase a 4-1 deficit and take a 5-4 lead. They had trailed since the first inning when the Bulldogs (8-18, 5-2 WCC) scored three runs on two homers off of Broncos starter Blake Hammond, wiping away SCU's own early 1-0 first inning advantage.
- Gonzaga went back ahead with single runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth for a 7-5 lead, but Santa Clara kept fighting. Efrain Manzo drew a leadoff walk in the top of the ninth, sending the tying run to the plate with no outs. Erik Hoffberg slammed the door, though, getting two pop outs and a strikeout to end the game and earn the save.
- Coleman Brigman hit his third homer of the year in the first inning to put Santa Clara up, 1-0. Ben Steck singled home two runs in the sixth to make it 4-3 Gonzaga. The Broncos took their one-run, 5-4 lead on a wild play that included an error with the bases loaded, two runs scoring, and a play at the plate that ended the inning.
- Payton Knowles went 3 for 4 for Gonzaga with three RBIs, a go-ahead, two-run homer in the first and two singles.
NOTABLE NUMBERS
- .000: Santa Clara's 3-4-5 hitters went 0 for 13 with four strikeouts Friday. The trio left six combined runners on base while the team went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position.
- 7: The Broncos drew seven walks Friday, though six of them were stranded on base. Three of those were left in scoring position.
NEXT UP
The series continues Saturday with game two scheduled for 6 p.m. Fans can find all live coverage links on SantaClaraBroncos.com.
