Spring Sports Wrap Up 2021 Seasons

Beach volleyball and golf finish strong while baseball and track & field forge ahead

Baseball Looks to Win their Next Home Series

After dropping eight straight games (three to St. Mary’s, three to San Diego, and two Loyola Marymount), the Broncos found life in the final game of a three-game series to beat the Lions last Sunday. They look poised to extend their winning streak against Pacific in their next homestand this weekend. 

A major theme for Santa Clara baseball this season has been their offensive production late in games. In eight of their 13 wins this season, the Broncos have scored at least one run in the sixth inning or later to either come from behind or add insurance to their lead. 

Their latest victory was no different. Santa Clara put up four runs in the sixth frame and another in the seventh, squashing Loyola 11-7. Fifth year senior Jason Dicochea drove in four of those runs himself off of three hits. 

“Our offensive approach has always been to value each at bat regardless of the score,” said Dicochea. “Thankfully that is what has led to a few of those late inning rallies. Whether we’re up 10, or it’s a close ballgame, every at-bat matters and every run we can put on that scoreboard is an important one.”

While Dicochea brings plenty of attributes to the diamond that help score runs, his biggest contribution to the team has been his leadership. He hopes to leave a long lasting impression on the younger players and show them how to create a winning culture at Santa Clara.

“I want this team to end the season with a winning taste in their mouth and come back hungry to have a better season next year. If the talented, [younger] players that follow me can play a little harder and win after I’m gone, then all of my effort will be worth it.”

Beach Volleyball Finishes 7th at WCC Championships

Santa Clara’s beach volleyball season was one like no other. Upon completing an abbreviated indoor season, the Broncos jumped right onto the sand to begin a shortened beach campaign. They wrapped up their season last weekend at the West Coast Conference (WCC) Championship Tournament, where they finished seventh overall.

Santa Clara’s top pair, junior Michelle Shaffer and sophomore Julia Sangiacomo, finished the season strong with a two-set win against Pacific, 21-17 and 21-15. They were the most successful Bronco duo during the spring campaign, winning seven matches overall. 

The Broncos dropped all five matches to the Gaels, who finished first in the WCC. Seniors Kathryn Decker and Gretchen Reinert played their last games as Broncos last weekend. After four phenomenal years repping the scarlet red, their careers at Santa Clara have come to an end. 

“It was also a surreal experience to think back on the past four years [as a Bronco],” said Decker. “The main emotion I feel is gratitude. Gratitude for my teammates, the opportunity to play a D1 sport at Santa Clara, and all of the lessons I have learned along the way.”

Track and Field Continues to Rewrite the Record Books

Santa Clara track and field continues their impressive spring campaign, led by redshirt senior Jack Davidson and senior Zach Litoff. Last weekend, these two Broncos bested their own school records at the Oregon State High Performance Meet.

Davidson ran a personal best in the 5,000-meter, with a time of 13:51.57. He broke his own record by seven seconds. Litoff also found himself atop his own record book. He ran 8:43.43 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, a mark that was four seconds faster than his previous record set in 2019.

“Every time I passed the clock [during the race], I got a burst of energy from seeing my splits,” said Litoff, who is now ranked 10th in the nation for his event. “After the race was over, I was so excited knowing how fast [I] ran.” 

Litoff is now 10th in the nation and will compete at the NCAA West Preliminary Championship on May 28th in College Station, Texas.

“[This race] definitely gives me a lot of confidence, but I still think it’s hard for anyone to grasp [being] 10th in the nation. Even me.”

Golf Sends One Bronco to NCAA Championship 

Santa Clara men’s golf had a busy spring. They competed in six tournaments in an eight-week span and concluded their 2021 campaign with a seventh place finish in the WCC Championship last weekend. 

Santa Clara sat in seventh place after their first day of the tournament but never ascended the leaderboard in the days following. Senior Berk Harvey finished at 1-under 71 after the opening round, which was the best mark for the Broncos on day one. They improved their overall scoring on day two shooting 4-under 284, but they remained in the seventh spot. Santa Clara concluded the three-day event at 4-under 860 (290-284-286). 

Fifth year senior Matt McCarty and senior Jack Avrit posted the top scores each at 1-under 215 and tied for 22nd place overall.

Despite this rather disappointing postseason run, the Broncos ended with a silver lining. McCarty was selected to play as an individual in the NCAA Championship. The news followed his impressive performance at the WCC Championship, which earned him All-WCC Honors. 

McCarty is ranked No. 65 in the nation and No. 2 in the Western region, yet playing atop the nation’s rankings is nothing new for the Santa Clara veteran. This will be his second appearance in the NCAA Championship––his first coming in 2018. If he continues to play like he has all spring, McCarty should fare well among the country’s best.