Diamond Dons Shutout by Santa Clara, 8-0 :: USF Out hit 14-4 in the Contest

April 18, 2008

(Santa Clara, CA) - San Francisco could only muster four hits against a tough Nate Garcia, falling to West Coast Conference rival Santa Clara 8-0 at Stephen Schott Stadium on Friday night. The last time the Dons (21-15, 5-5 WCC) had four or less hits was March 11, a 6-2 loss to then No. 12 California. Since then, USF has had no less than seven hits per contest.

Santa Clara's (20-14, 6-4 WCC) Garcia (4-2) was on fire as he threw a complete game shutout, allowing just the four hits, no walks, and struck out nine Dons. The sophomore right-hander only allowed one Don to reach third (Ryan Lipkin in the second), but came out of the inning unscathed.

SCU put up single runs in the fourth and fifth innings before opening it up with a huge three-run homerun by senior center fielder Nathan Faulkner in the sixth. Another homerun, this time by junior right fielder Matt Long made it 6-0. Three consecutive singles to open the eighth loaded the bases for the Broncos, and after a strikeout, a single through the right side by Long scored SCU's final two runs.

Sophomore right-hander Alex Kalogrides (3-1) took the loss in his first career Friday start, allowing five earned runs off nine hits, no walks, and struck out four Broncos in 5.1 innings. Senior right-hander Brian Anderson relieved Kalogrides in the sixth, and gave up one earned run off one hit in 1.2 innings. Freshman left-hander Sean Burns allowed the Broncos final two earned runs off four hits and struck out one in 1.0 inning.

Freshman left fielder Connor Bernatz, senior right fielder Kyle Morgan, sophomore catcher Ryan Lipkin, and sophomore center fielder Bobby Ethel each had one hit in the contest.

USF meets Santa Clara for game two of the three game series tomorrow. First pitch is set for 6:00 PM.