Tyler Alleman ’27 pitches against Clemson at Stephen Schott Stadium at Santa Clara University on Monday, April 6, 2026. Alleman recorded a career-high five strike outs against Clemson. **(Elaine Zhang/The Santa Clara)**

Stephen Schott Stadium was buzzing with excitement as Bronco fans hoped to witness a major upset. In a rare trip to the West Coast, the Clemson Tigers were hosted by Santa Clara University in a back-and-forth game that saw the Tigers come away on top after taking the lead with a late 3-run homer.

For the first half of the game, hope seemed lost for the Broncos. Their bats were kept completely silent, unable to find an answer offensively as they headed to bat in the bottom of the fifth. Santa Clara trailed 2-0, yet to record a hit, with only one baserunner to speak of.

In need of a spark, a hit-by-pitch followed by a single from third baseman Waylon Walsh ’29, brought life back into the team. Though ultimately failing to capitalize with the bases loaded, leaving three runners stranded, momentum had shifted.

The Broncos were not to be denied in their next opportunity to swing the bat, building on the success they found in the fifth.

Catcher Johnny Luetzow ’26 followed up by ripping a double down the first base line, driving in the Broncos’ first run. First baseman Will Anderson ’27 then singled, scoring Luetzow from second and bringing the game to a standstill at 2-2.

After a pitching change by Clemson, the Broncos stayed patient at the plate, capitalizing on three straight walks, eventually walking home Anderson to take a 3-2 lead heading into the seventh inning.

The Broncos held steady in the top of the seventh; pitcher Nick Chow ’29 retired the side in order, inching Santa Clara one step closer to a massive upset. The Broncos were held quiet in the bottom half of the inning, only managing a four-pitch walk from Luetzow with Chow back on the mound for the eighth.

Clemson’s Luke Gaffney led off the inning with a hit-by-pitch that ended Chow’s day. Graduate student Josh Johnson came on in relief, retiring the only batter he faced. RJ Meyn ’28 then took to the mound, giving up a single to the first batter he faced, quickly recovering to strike out the next batter for the second out.

With Santa Clara only needing four more outs to claim victory, Clemson freshman Jason Fultz Jr. launched a three-run homer to left field. The towering shot was the first home run of Fultz Jr.’s career, giving the Tigers a 5-3 lead and simultaneously dashing the hopes of the Bronco faithfuls in attendance.

The Tigers added another run on an infield single, extending their lead to three.

Clemson’s Bryce Clavon hits the ball during Santa Clara baseball’s game against Clemson at Stephen Schott Stadium at Santa Clara University on Monday, April 6, 2026. Clavon recorded an RBI to put Clemson up 6-3 against Santa Clara. **(Elaine Zhang/The Santa Clara)**

The Broncos tried their best to respond in the eighth inning with doubles from Camden Sos ’27 and Luke Devine ’28. Sos scored on a Payton Lambert ’27 sacrifice fly to cut the lead to two, but Devine was left stranded as Clemson retired the side with a strikeout.

Clemson’s closer held strong in the ninth, putting an end to the Broncos’ upset attempt. The nail-biting 6-4 road win saw Clemson head coach Erik Bakich, a 1996 graduate of Bellarmine College Preparatory, make a return to the Bay Area in the two programs’ first-ever meeting.

The Broncos, 13-21, 3-9 in conference play, will attempt to regroup and end their seven-game losing skid on Wednesday at Stanford, following a three-game sweep from Saint Mary’s College over the weekend.