March 28, 2008

Box Score

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - In an old fashion pitchers dual, the University of San Diego's junior All-American pitcher Brian Matusz came out on top as he helped lead the 14th-ranked Toreros to a 1-0 West Coast Conference win over Santa Clara University (12-9, 0-1 WCC) in the WCC opener for both teams.

Matusz (5-1) picked up his fifth win of the season as he allowed no runs on seven hits in his second complete game of the season. Matusz struck out eight while lowing her season ERA to 1.81. Nate Garcia (2-2) was saddled with the loss for the Broncos as he allowed one run on seven hits in 8.0 innings of work.

The Toreros (19-8, 1-0 WCC) pushed across the lone run of the game in the first inning. Kevin Muno got things rolling with a bunt single and he moved to second on Sean Nicol's sacrifice bunt. Victor Sanchez then brought in Muno with a RBI single to centerfield to give USD the 1-0 lead.

The Broncos had their best scoring opportunity to come in the third inning as they were able to take advantage of a USD miscue and load the bases with two outs, but Matusz then got Evan LeBlanc to fly out to left field to end the scoring threat and preserve the 1-0 lead.

The Toreros also had several chances to push across another run as they loaded the bases in the third inning. Nicol got things started with a single, moved to second on a throwing error by the pitcher, then moved to third on a Sanchez single to center field. Sanchez advanced to second on a wild pitch and USD loaded the bases when James Meador was intentionally walked. But the Broncos got Kevin Hansen to ground into a double play to end the scoring threat.

Offensively for the Toreros, Sanchez led the way as he went 2-for-4 with one double and one RBI. The only other USD player to record multiple hits was Nicol as he went 2-for-3.

The Toreros will return to action on Saturday with a 1 p.m. game against Santa Clara at Cunningham Stadium.