MALIBU, Calif. — For the eighth time this season, the Santa Clara University baseball team didn't let an early deficit bother it, as the Broncos came from behind on the road Sunday to win the finale of their West Coast Conference series at Pepperdine, 4-3, at Eddy D. Field Stadium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Santa Clara (13-15, 2-4 WCC) made an early statement in its victory Sunday, grabbing a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a sacrifice fly from Mateo Garcia. But the Waves (8-23, 4-5 WCC) answered right back with three runs in the bottom half. Four of Pepperdine's first five batters in the game reached safely, including back-to-back RBI singles from Justin Rubin and Danny Cook, as well as an RBI groundout by Max Bernal that made it 3-1.
   
• But The Broncos slowly worked their way back into the game, and eventually took back the lead, with single runs in the third, fourth and sixth innings. Santa Clara capitalized on a Pepperdine error in the third with two outs, as Johnny Luetzow singled home Dylan Joyce to make it 3-2. An inning later, Ben Cleary tied it up at 3-3 with an RBI single to center field, scoring Conner Smith.
   
• Santa Clara went ahead for good with a one-out rally in the sixth. Andrew Rayment walked, Thomas Ferroggiaro was hit by a pitch to move Rayment into scoring position, and Cleary singled again to load the bases. That's when Garcia came through with his second sac fly of the game, bringing home Rayment to put SCU ahead, 4-3.
   
• That's when the bullpen came in and took care of the rest. Cooper Lanz (1-1), who had already thrown four innings of perfect relief, threw one more in the sixth to keep the Waves at bay. Then Caden Wooster entered. The 6-foot-, 8-inch righty threw three shutout innings to earn his third save of the year. He stranded two runners in scoring position in the seventh and had two different tying base runners on in the ninth, but got pinch-hitter Luke Pemberton to strike out swinging to end the game.
   
• Cleary ended the day going 3 for 5 to lead all hitters. Garcia led the Broncos with two RBIs. Joyce reached base three times, going 1 for 3 with two walks.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

• 7: With his five perfect innings Sunday, Lanz has now not allowed an earned run (two unearned) in seven consecutive innings, dating to his last appearance versus UC San Diego on March 30.
• 11: Santa Clara stranded 11 base runners Sunday. Eight of them were left in scoring position, while the Broncos went 3 for 12 (.250) with runners in scoring position.

COMING UP

• The Broncos return home for a four-game home stand beginning Tuesday with a midweek battle versus Hawaii of the Big West Conference. Fans can purchase tickets and find all live coverage links on SantaClaraBroncos.com.