March 26, 2017
Box Score
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Santa Clara hit a three-run walk-off home run to knock of the No. 23 USD baseball team 15-12 (15-6, 5-1) Sunday afternoon. The Toreros were down four runs in the top of the ninth inning, but rallied to score five runs before giving up four in the bottom of the ninth.
After going hitless through the first three innings, the Toreros got to Broncos' starter Jacob Steffens in the top of the fourth. Hunter Mercado-Hood and Riley Adams hit back-to-back singles, followed by a Roman Garcia walk to load the bases with one out. Jay Schuyler then hit a RBI fielder's choice and Brhet Bewley hit a sacrifice fly.
The Broncos responded with four runs on five hits in the bottom of the fourth, highlighted by consecutive doubles from Zach Walsh and Jake MacNichols.
The Toreros immediately retook the lead in the next inning, hitting four straight extra base hits to score three two-out runs. Mercado-Hood hit a solo home run to right, his third of the series. Adams, Garcia and Schuyler then hit three straight doubles to give USD a 5-4 lead.
Santa Clara tied the game in the sixth inning when Niko Holm scored on a Jonathan Teaney wild pitch.
The Toreros broke the 5-5 tie in the seventh inning with a pair of RBI singles from Schuyler and Bewley.
Senior closer Troy Conyers entered the game with a perfect 0.00 ERA, but the Broncos got the best of him on Sunday and scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth. With runners on first and second, Anthony Geremia hit a RBI single. Conyers walked the next batter and then Nnebe hit a two-run ground rule double to left. Coach Hill elected to intentionally walk Jake Brodt to load the bases and set-up the double play for C.J. Burdick, who relieved Conyers. Ryan McCarthey then hit a two-run single up the middle.
Trailing by four runs in the top of the ninth, the Toreros made an incredible comeback, scoring five two-outs runs to take the lead. With runners on second and third, pinch hitter Dante Gutierrez hit it to left field, which the Bronco fielder misplayed, allowing for two unearned runs for USD. Waltner added a run on a RBI single and then Riley Adams hit a two-run single with the bases loaded, giving USD a one run lead.
Walsh led off the inning with a double down the right field line, prompting Coach Hill to bring in Sean Barry, who allowed a Lucas Eliason game-tying RBI single. Three batters later, Nnebe ended the game with a three-run blast to left field.
The two teams combined for 27 runs on 27 hits in a game that lasted 4 hours and 15 minutes.
The Toreros return to Fowler Park next week, hosting UC Riverside Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. before taking on San Francisco in a three-game series over the weekend.
