SANTA CLARA, Calif. — First-place San Diego exploited early mistakes made by the Santa Clara University baseball team and held off a late push by the Broncos to win the teams' West Coast Conference series opener, 7-4, at Stephen Schott Stadium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Five of the Toreros' (21-27, 15-4 WCC) seven runs were unearned, all scored during back-to-back three-run innings in the fourth and fifth that erased a 1-0 deficit and built a 6-1 lead. A throwing error on a sacrifice bunt in the fourth sparked the surge, allowing two unearned runs to score on separate wild pitches. Another miscue in the fifth extended the inning, leading to an RBI double from Isaiah Lane and a two-out, two-run homer by Jayden Lobliner.
   
• Santa Clara (19-26, 6-13 WCC) had its chances on Friday, too. The Broncos loaded the bases with no outs in the first on three straight free passes (two hit-by-pitches, one walk), but settled for one run when the next batter grounded into a first-pitch double play. They loaded the bases again in the sixth with one out, but managed just one run on Malcolm Williams' first-pitch RBI single. In the fourth, Ben Cleary led off with a double to put the tying run aboard at 3-1, but three consecutive strikeouts left him stranded.
   
• Still, the Broncos battled late. Tate Medicoff belted a two-run homer in the eighth to pull within 7-4. Santa Clara then brought the tying run to the on-deck circle with one out in the ninth after Mateo Garcia was hit by a pitch, but San Diego's third turned double play of the night sealed the win.
   
• Brandon Gomez (3-7) turned in a solid outing despite the loss, allowing only one earned run (six total) on five hits in five innings with seven strikeouts against one walk. Jace Gillmore fanned two in 1 2/3 scoreless innings, and RJ Meyn struck out three while giving up one run across two frames.
   
• Medicoff led the Broncos offensively, going 2 for 4 with his second career home run, two RBIs, and a run scored. Lobliner powered San Diego's offense, finishing 3 for 4 with three RBIs, two runs, and falling a triple short of the cycle. Lane added a 3-for-5 night with a double, RBI, and run. USD starter Cal Scolari (4-3) earned the win with a quality start, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out eight over six innings.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

• 15: Though he didn't get a hit Friday, Dylan Joyce reached base twice with a walk and a hit-by-pitch to extend his active reached base safely streak to 15 games.
• 17: Friday marked the 17th game this season the Broncos have scored in the first inning. They are 11-6 in those games.

COMING UP

• Game two of the series is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday. Sunday is not only the series finale at noon, but also Senior Day ceremonies beginning at 11:25 a.m. Fans can purchase tickets and find all live coverage links on SantaClaraBroncos.com.