Broncos Continue To Struggle

Santa Clara’s pitching can’t contain Gael’s offenseEduardo Ruano April 13, 2017After crushing Loyola Marymount in the first game of its three-game stand in Los Angeles, the Santa Clara Baseball team dropped the next two to fall to 3-6 in conference play.The series started off brilliantly for the Broncos, who jumped out of the gates with a commanding 10-3 win. Third baseman John Cresto led Santa Clara’s offense, going 2-5 with a double and two-run home run to finish with four RBIs. Starting pitcher Eric Lex went six solid innings, allowing up three runs and striking out an impressive seven Lions to earn his second win of the season.Despite bringing the heat in the first game of the series against LMU, the Bronco bats went dormant the rest of the series. They lost the next two 6-3 and 5-1. In the second game the Broncos tallied just six hits in 33 possible at-bats, only one of which resulted in an extra base-hit. Starting pitcher Jacob Steffens went six and a third, striking out seven, but giving up five earned runs on nine hits to take the loss.“At this point in the season every game is like a one game season for us,” said Coach Dan O’Brien. “If you look at the big picture we're having a tough season, but if you focus on just one game, it keeps you focused on staying in the race to make the conference tournament.” In the final game of the series, the Broncos managed a single extra base-hit and stranded five men on base. Starting pitcher Michael Bono lasted just four and a third, striking out five batters and surrendering four earned runs in the loss.“The most important life skill to take away from this season is to focus only on what we can control,” said Coach O’Brien. “Our conference beats up on one another, often keeping a lot of teams in the hunt up until the last weekend. If we stay focused on getting better, and playing with a one game at a time mentality, good things can happen.”Santa Clara’s struggles continued as they got destroyed by Cal Poly, losing 15-0 Tuesday night at Stephen Schott Stadium. The Broncos tallied just two hits and their bullpen surrendered nine runs. Santa Clara’s fielding fared no better, totaling three errors in the embarrassing defeat.   The Broncos will remain at home as they play two consecutive West Coast Conference series against Gonzaga University and the University of San Francisco.Contact Eduardo Ruano at eruano@scu.edu.