Box Score
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Few things have come easily for the University of San Francisco Diamond Dons this season, and their first series sweep was no different as USF defeated Santa Clara, 7-5, in 10 innings Sunday at Stephen Schott Stadium. USF (20-15, 8-4 WCC) swept the series, needing 12 and 13-inning efforts Friday and Saturday. The Dons have won 11 straight from the Broncos (9-24, 0-12 WCC), including three consecutive series sweeps. USF is tied for second in the conference with Pepperdine, 1.5 games behind Gonzaga.
With the game tied 5-5 after nine,
Josh Miller hit a two-out, two-RBI double in the top of the tenth to give USF a two run lead. The Dons had runners at second and third with no outs before Santa Clara lefty Kenny Treadwell nearly escaped the jam, striking out
Mitchell Rowan and
Brendan Hendriks before Miller's hit.
The Dons wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, plating three runs in the first after two batters were retired to start the inning. USF capitalized on consecutive hits by
Bradley Zimmer, Zachary Turner,
Mitchell Rowan and
Josh Miller to take the early lead.
USF went ahead 5-1 in the top of the seventh when
Bradley Zimmer hit a two-run home run to right-center, an impressive drive that cleared the fence with room to spare.
Santa Clara got back in the game with two runs in the seventh and eighth innings to get to extra innings.
Bob Mott (2-1) earned the win, pitching the final two innings for the Dons.
“I though (starter)
Christian Cecilio was great, our bullpen was a little tired but we did what we needed to,” said USF head coach
Nino Giarratano. “Maybe we're a little worn out, but all-in-all it's a great win. Santa Clara is the best 0-12 conference team we've ever played, their will and desire to come back and fight is great, but you have to give a little credit to our guys. Zach, Bradley and Josh came up with big hits late in the game and you have to be happy with our result.”
USF travels to Berkeley to take on California Tuesday before hosting Loyola Marymount at home Friday through Sunday.
Inside the Numbers
USF has won nine of its last 10 games, eight of its last 10 West Coast Conference games and 13 of 17 overall.
Bradley Zimmer's home run in the seventh was his seventh of the season, good for second in the West Coast Conference.
The Dons are now 10-0 in games started by
Christian Cecilio.
Line of the Game
Bradley Zimmer – 3-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, double, home run, hit-by-pitch, stolen base
Josh Miller – 3-for-4, 3 RBIs, 2 doubles
