SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The USF baseball team suffered a 2-0 loss at Santa Clara Friday evening in both teams' West Coast Conference opener at Stephen Schott Stadium. The Dons fell to 5-15 (0-1) on the year, while Santa Clara improved to 8-8 (1-0).
 
USF starter Anthony Shew (0-3) took the loss, throwing six innings where he allowed two runs on eight hits while striking out a season-high eight.
 
Nico Giarratano (2-for-4) and Beau Bozett (2-for-3) led the Dons at the plate.
 
Santa Clara took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth when Kert Woods ripped a two-out triple past the outstretched glove of USF right fielder Beau Bozett, scoring TC Florentine from second.
 
Woods plated the second Santa Clara run with a one-out bloop single in the bottom of the sixth that dropped in between USF's right fielder and second baseman, giving the Broncos a 2-0 lead that they would hold onto.
 
The Dons had one of their best scoring opportunities in the top of the fifth when they got two runners on with one out, but Giarratano's strikeout with runners on first and third wound up ending the inning without a run coming across.
 
Mitchell White (2-2) picked up the victory for Santa Clara, throwing seven shutout innings, allowing six hits and striking out 12.
 
Florentine helped set the table for the Broncos, tallying a triple and two doubles, while Woods, Kyle Cortopassi and Stevie Berman each collected two hits. 
 
 
NOTES: RF Beau Bozett extended his on-base streak to 12 games with a single up the middle in the top of the third… RHP Anthony Shew's seven strikeouts are the most for a USF pitcher this season… the Dons' 15 strikeouts matched their season high… DH Blake Valley had his 13-game hitting streak snapped… RHP Brock Larson extended his streak of 13 innings pitched without allowing an earned run.
 
UP NEXT: The Dons and Broncos continue their three-game series on Saturday with a 6 p.m. tilt from Schott Stadium. LHP Chase Gardner (0-2, 7.16) is slated to matchup with SCU's RHP Steven Wilson (2-0, 3.26).