A Santa Clara baseball player swings at a pitch during Santa Clara's win-or-go-home game against the University of San Francisco during the first round of the 2026 West Coast Conference Baseball Tournament in Scottsdale, Arizona on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. **(Courtesy of the West Coast Conference)**

Playoff hopes were slim for the Broncos, sitting at 17-27 overall and 6-13 in the WCC following a defeat to the Gonzaga Bulldogs on May 2. However, after running off eight consecutive wins and outscoring their opponents 67-19 in that stretch, the Broncos found their way to Scottsdale, Arizona, as the sixth and final seed for the WCC playoffs.

Facing off against the No. 3 seed San Francisco in a win-or-go-home game, Bronco ace Max Bayles ’27 began the day on the mound looking to add to an already impressive junior campaign that saw him earn WCC first team honors.

Bayles struggled with his command early on, surrendering an unearned run in the first inning on a catcher’s interference after walking two of the first three batters. Bayles was pulled in the second inning, finishing the night after not allowing a hit but walking four batters overall.

Max Bayles (45) ’27 throws a pitch against San Francisco during the first round of the 2026 West Coast Conference Baseball Tournament in Scottsdale, Arizona on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. **(Courtesy of the West Coast Conference)**

In relief came redshirt senior Josh Johnson, who boasted a 3.45 ERA on the season, striking out 36 batters in 28.2 innings pitched.

After giving up a double to put men on second and third, San Francisco broke the game open with a three-run shot from Trevor Harmon ’28 to take a 4-0 lead.

Both teams’ bats remained quiet until Santa Clara’s Andrew Rayment ’28 reached base on a throwing error. Second baseman Thomas Ferroggiaro ’26 singled to right to put runners on first and third base. Shortstop Ben Cleary ’26 loaded the bases on an HBP, bringing the tying run to the plate with no outs.

The Broncos were unable to capitalize, leaving three runners on base headed to the bottom of the sixth, still down 4-0. USF extended its lead to 7-0, with little time for the Broncos to mount a comeback.

To begin the seventh inning, Luke Devine ’28 reached on another HBP. After a flyout to right, Waylon Walsh ’29 walked to put two runners on. Ferroggiaro then belted a three-run homer to right field to cut the deficit to four runs.

San Francisco built their lead back to seven after a two-out three-run double to left center from Zach Ramppen ’26, putting the game at 10-3. Santa Clara was able to tack on one run in the top of the eight, courtesy of a double from Devine to score first baseman Will Anderson ’27.

Unable to keep their magical streak alive, the Broncos fell 10-4 and were eliminated from the WCC playoffs, likely bringing their season to a close with an NCAA Tournament at-large bid out of reach.

The Broncos will be without 12 seniors next season, who were honored at a pregame ceremony in Saturday’s sweep of Pepperdine to clinch the WCC playoff berth on May 16.

Bayles may also be weighing his options for next year, with Perfect Game listing the right-handed pitcher as their No. 255-ranked prospect for the 2026 MLB draft, projecting him as a 9th-10th-round draft pick in this year’s class.

Santa Clara baseball ends its year 25-29 overall, 13-14 in conference play, finding its stride late and taking away many positives. Looking to next season, the Broncos hope to make another run at the WCC title and a return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2023.