Conference Struggles Continue for Broncos

By Tom Schreir

The Santa Clara baseball team couldn't put and end to its woes in conference, dropping two of three to Pepperdine at Schott Stadium this weekend.

The Broncos have not only struggled against teams from the West Coast Conference, but they have faltered away from their home stadium as well.

The team possesses an overall record of 19-18, but Santa Clara has just 2-10 in the conference and 3-12 on the road.

"Night in and night out you're going to face a great arm and you're going to face a great lineup," junior Pat Stover said in reference to WCC play.

"It's much nicer (playing at home)," said Stover following the first game, a 6-2 win on Friday night. "You don't have to stay in hotels, travel, stuff like that." 

Head Coach Dan O'Brien offered his own analysis of the disparity found between the Broncos' home and road records.

"Teams that don't compete on the road are typically teams who have to be comfortable to play well and they're comfortable at home," said O'Brien.

Santa Clara dropped the next two contests by scores of 6-5 and 9-6. In the Saturday game, the Pepperdine broke a 3-3 tie in the eighth inning and the Broncos could not recover. On Sunday, Santa Clara gave up seven runs and used three relievers in the seventh inning.

"Our biggest Achilles Heel has been playing well when things aren't going our way," said O'Brien. "We just lack general toughness."

On Sunday, Santa Clara starting pitcher Powell Fansler was chased in the sixth inning. Junior Chris Mendoza was brought in to stop the onslaught in the seventh, but he was removed after facing just two batters.

The next reliever, Brock Simon, did not fare much better. Simon left after giving up a triple with the bases loaded to his second batter, walking his third, letting a runner score on a wild pitch and giving up a two-run home run to his fifth.

Senior James Smith got his first batter to line out to first for the third out of the inning.

"In (that situation) we need guys who want the ball, who are going to get that ball and are going to execute," said O'Brien.

The Broncos are looking to earn their first winning season since 2008.

"It's one of those deals where we have to learn how to win and that's the culture we're trying to change here," says O'Brien. "One thing I know for certain is it's harder to start winning than it is to keep winning and there's been a culture of losing here that we're fighting against."

If the Broncos are going to finish above .500, three emerging players must continue to progress and reach their potential.

Junior college transfer Tommy Nance, the Friday starter, has been effective when it comes to getting the Broncos off on the right foot to start a series. He picked up a complete game victory this weekend.

"He's been great," said O'Brien of his pitcher. "You talk about a guy that has been in the eye of the storm for us all year long. He's not only a talented player, but a very mature player."

Nance understands his role of setting the tone for Santa Clara.

"My goal as the Friday guy is to give my team the momentum we need going into the weekend," said Nance. "Friday games aren't going to be high scoring games, they're always going to be low."

Two players that were seldom used last year, sophomore Greg Harisis and junior Quinton Perry, have stepped up as the leadoff man and primary catcher, respectively.

Harisis is batting .429 and Perry caught all three games this weekend to go along with a home run.

"Some of the guys are capitalizing on the opportunities like Greg Harisis and Quinton Perry," said O'Brien. "Guys that were low on the depth chart are capitalizing on their opportunities."

Although the Broncos have encountered a recent rough patch, especially in conference games, O'Brien remains optimistic about his team.

"As tough as things have been of late, I think we're really making great strides," O'Brien said. "There's still a lot of baseball left in this season and this team is nowhere near their ceiling so we're going to put it all together."

Contact Tom Schreier at tschreier@scu.edu or (408) 554-4852.