Jan. 29, 2005

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University baseball team scored nine runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to come from behind and post a 14-9 season opening victory over UC Riverside at Buck Shaw Stadium. The win marked the second year in a row the Broncos have opened their season with a win over the Highlanders.

Santa Clara trailed the Highlanders, 9-5, heading into the bottom of the eighth inning. However, three consecutive singles, which scored one run started off the Bronco half of the inning with a bang. After a Highlander pitching change, pinch hitter Shawn Epidendio was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs. A single from leadoff hitter Ryan Chiarelli would score two runs and bring the UC Riverside lead down to one run.

The first Bronco out of the inning followed Chiarelli's single and UC Riverside made another pitcher change. However, it would prove to be ineffective as Robert Perry doubled in Epidendio to tie the score and left runners at second and third. The Highlander would intentionally walk Nic Crosta to load the bases for Michael Thompson. Thompson was issued another walk as the game-winning run crossed the plate.

Up 10-9, the Broncos would add four more runs to finish out the inning. With the bases still loaded and only one out, Kris Watts, the tenth batter of the inning, hit a single to right field to bring in Perry. Dustin Realini's sacrifice bunt scored Crosta before a Jason Matteucci single brought in Thompson. Pinch hitter Kevin Drever would cap the scoring with a RBI-double down the left field line. When the inning was over, the Broncos had posted eight hits and posted nine runs on the scoreboard.

Senior right-hander Anthony Rea pitched the ninth inning to seal the win. Freshman Donald Brandt earned the victory in his first collegiate outing after throwing two innings in relief. Senior Kellan McConnell started the contest for the Broncos and struck out six in 4.2 innings.

The Broncos tallied 17 hits in the contest, while the Highlanders added 13. Matteucci recorded a game-high four hits as he went 4-for-5 with two runs and two RBI. Chiarelli led SCU with three runs driven in, while Watts scored a team-high three runs. The junior catcher went 3-for-5 in the day.

Highlander Aaron Grant led the way for UC Riverside with four hits and three RBI. Nick Salotti added three RBI with a three-run home run in the third inning. Matt Cunningham also hit a solo homer in the sixth inning.

The Broncos return to action in the second game of the doubleheader only 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first game. Sunday's conclusion of the three-game series is set for 1:00 p.m. at Buck Shaw Stadium.