Baseball two games back as they enter six game homestand

By Blake Twesselman

The Broncos are still clinging to hopes of reaching the postseason after dropping two of three to Pepperdine last weekend in Malibu.

The Waves won on Friday and Saturday, but Santa Clara showed their resiliency and avoided a devastating series sweep in Sunday's 7-4 win.

"Sunday's game was a gut-check," said head coach Mark O'Brien. "We showed some real character and that says something about our team."

The win on Sunday brought the Broncos (17-7 league record) back to within two games of Pepperdine (19-5 league record) in the Coastal Division with six conference games to play. The champions of the Coast Division and the West Division play for the WCC Championship May 23-25. The Broncos currently have a better conference record than all four teams in the West Division, however, they need to beat Pepperdine to make the postseason.

The Broncos have the tough task of having to play in the same division as Pepperdine each year in order to qualify for the postseason, but senior infielder Scott Dierks isn't making excuses.

"The only way we will get better is by playing better competition," said Dierks.

Although it will be extremely difficult for Santa Clara to catch the Waves, the Broncos have a notable advantage; they play their last six conference games at home, while Pepperdine has to play their last six conference games on the road. Both teams play three games against Gonzaga and St. Mary's.

The Broncos will open a three game series against the Gonzaga Bulldogs this Saturday at Buck Shaw Stadium with senior pitcher Matt Travis expected to start. The Broncos are seeking some revenge, as the Zags won two of three against Santa Clara when the teams met earlier this season in Spokane.

The Broncos have won eight straight West Coast Conference games before their loss 9-5 at Pepperdine last Friday.

"We're peaking at the right time of the year," said redshirt sophomore pitcher Anthony Rea.

Santa Clara may be down two games with six to play, but they have a championship mindset coming down the stretch.

"We feel good about our position right now," said O'Brien. "We're at home, we gotta feel good."

Arguably the league's hottest team, The Broncos get ready for a six-game home stand; you have to wonder if they're a little nervous down in Malibu.