SANTA CLARA, Calif.—San Diego's comeback fell short in a 5-2 loss to Santa Clara on Saturday afternoon, to even the series at 1-1.
 
The Broncos (11-33, 4-16 WCC) scored a run in the second and third, adding two runs in the fourth and one more in the fifth to take a 5-0 lead. The Toreros (27-20, 11-12 WCC) broke through in the seventh when Shane McGuire grounded out to second with runners on the corners to make it 5-1.
 
Jeff Houghtby followed on the next pitch with a ground-rule double to the right field corner to score Ripken Reyes from second but the rally ended there. Houghtby finished 1-for-3 with the RBI double, while McGuire went 1-for-4 with the only other RBI for USD. 
 
It was a game of missed opportunities for the Toreros who collected six hits in the contest and left nine runners on base. 
 
Chris Murphy (4-3) got the start for USD, pitching 3.1 innings and giving up four runs (3 earned) on six hits, three walks and one hit batter with two strikeouts.
 
Travis Kuhn came on in relief of Murphy in the fourth and pitched the remaining 4.2 innings. Kuhn held the Broncos to one hit and one run (unearned) with one walk and six strikeouts. The righthander retired the final nine batters in order including five strikeouts.
 
The Toreros will face the Broncos in the series finale on Sunday at 12 p.m. PT.