Santa Clara Stuck in a Slump
Broncos still looking for a conference win
John Brussaa
Sports Editor
April 4, 2019
Hosting their first conference series of the year this past weekend, Bronco Baseball (5- 21) looked to turn around what has so far been a dreadful season. Unfortunately, the series opener against San Francisco on Friday only added to the team’s troubles.
The Dons (14-11, 4-3 WCC) scored their first run of the game off of a solo homer in the second and then tacked on two more in the fifth. The Broncos’ starting pitcher, junior Keegan McCarville, struck out a careerhigh nine batters before being pulled after four and a third innings.
The Dons added on to their 3-0 lead with a three-run homer in the seventh before scoring four more and beating Santa Clara 10-0.
On Saturday, the Broncos faced a five run deficit heading into the bottom of the eighth. Following first-year Matt Jew’s two-run homerun, however, San Francisco’s lead slimmed to 6-3 heading into the ninth. In their last turn to bat, the Broncos managed to score again after a double from senior Matt Smithwick, putting them within two runs. With the tying run at the plate, the Broncos were unable to capitalize and fell 6-4.
In the last game of the series, the Dons once again came out on top, beating the Broncos 4-1 to complete the sweep.
The week was not all bad news for Santa Clara baseball, however. Heading down to San Luis Obispo on Tuesday to take on Cal Poly, the Broncos squeaked out an extra innings victory after first-year Blake Faddoul’s squeeze bunt brought in what would be the winning run in the top of the 10th.
Santa Clara heads to Pepperdine this weekend for another conference series. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. on Friday.
Beach Volleyball
SANTA CRUZ, Calif.—Bronco beach volleyball took part in the West Coast Conference Midseason Invitational this past weekend, facing a volley of WCC rivals.
On Friday, the first day of competition, Santa Clara was swept by No. 18 Saint Mary’s before taking a match from San Francisco later in the afternoon for the team’s first victory of the season.
The following day, Santa Clara faced Pacific in the day’s opening match. After sweeping in the two through five positions, the Broncos finished the contest with a 4-1 victory.
Coming off of two straight wins, Santa Clara would go up against No. 13 and eventual tournament champions, Loyola Marymount. The Lions demonstrated why they are among the nation’s top teams, sweeping Santa Clara 5-0 and then proceeding to defeat Saint Mary’s in the gold medal match.
In their third contest of the day, Santa Clara would once again see San Francisco for a chance at winning the tournament’s bronze medal match. The Dons, however, would get redemption by topping the Broncos 3-2.
Beach Volleyball will travel Saturday to once again take on Saint Mary’s at 1 p.m.
Women’s Water Polo
SANTA CLARA, Calif.—In their first of a two-game road-trip, Women’s Water Polo headed down south to take on San Diego State last Thursday.
The Broncos, looking for their first conference win, played stingy defense for a majority of the contest until the Aztecs managed to tack on to their slim lead with a few more goals, topping the Broncos 4-1. Santa Clara’s lone goal came from junior utility Maggie Oys, who scored on a feed from sophomore Kelly Frumkin with just under six minutes remaining.
The next day, the Broncos hit the road to take on Concordia in Irvine. Santa Clara’s offense, silenced the day before, came alive thanks to multiple scores from seniors Hannah Buck and Lauren Paxton, resulting in the Broncos’ first Golden Coast Conference win of the year. Goalkeeper Lydia Dadd earned the win in net, recording six saves as Santa Clara beat Concordia 9-4.
Today, Women’s Water Polo (7-12, 1-2 GCC) will kick off a four-game homestand against Cal State East Bay (11-11) at 3 p.m. before hosting Loyola Marymount at the same time tomorrow.
Contact John Brussa at jbrussa@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.