Santa Clara Homers In 9th To Spoil UW Home Opener

Saturday, March 5

Seattle, WA

11:00 AM

University of Washington

4-4

Santa Clara (DH)

6-4

Santa Clara

Washington

Photo by: Washington Athletics

March 05, 2016 | Baseball

Box Score

By: Washington Athletics

SEATTLE – Santa Clara freshman shortstop John Cresto homered twice – including a two-out solo home run in the ninth inning to break a 1-1 tie – ruining opening day and a beautiful pitching performance by Husky starter Noah Bremer. The blast gave the Broncos (6-4) a 2-1 victory in game one of a doubleheader Saturday at Husky Ballpark.

The sophomore Bremer set career highs with nine strikeouts and 8 2/3 innings pitched but did not figure in the decision. He allowed three baserunners all day, one of which was wiped off the board on a double play.

Bremer left with the game tied 1-1, but Cresto took the first pitch he saw from UW reliever Spencer Jones (1-1) over the left-field wall for the game-winning run.

Santa Clara closer Max Kuhns allowed a one-out baserunner in the bottom of the ninth, but pinch-runner Karl Kani was wiped out trying to advance on a ball in the dirt. Kuhns picked up his fifth save of the season and made a winner out of Nick Medeiros (1-0).

The Huskies (4-4) scored first and enjoyed the lead for much of the game. Washington didn't record its first hit off Santa Clara starter Mitchell White until No. 9 hitter AJ Graffanino blooped a two-out double over the head of third baseman Kyle Cortopassi and down the left-field line. Left fielder Kyle London followed with a single up the middle that sent Graffanino home and made the score 1-0 in favor of the home team.

The Huskies kept the lead behind strong pitching from Bremer until the seventh inning. Bremer had retired 11 in a row and allowed just one hit until Cresto led off the inning with a home run. Cresto took a 1-0 offering from Bremer over the left field fence for his third homer of the year.

White was equally strong for the Broncos. He threw seven strong innings, allowing six hits, one run and striking out nine while not walking any Husky hitters.

London was the only Husky with multi-hits, going 2 for 4 with a RBI.

GAME 1: Santa Clara 2 (5-5), Washington 1 (4-4)

SC 000 000 101 –- 2 3 1
UW 001 000 000 –- 1 6 0

LOB: SC 2, UW 4. Mitchell White, Nick Medeiros (8), Max Kuhns (9) and Stevie Berman; Noah Bremer, Spencer Jones (9) and Joey Morgan. W – Medeiros (1-0). L – Jones (1-1). Sv – Kuhns (5). HR – SC, John Cresto 2 (3, 4). 3B – none. 2B – UW, AJ Graffanino, MJ Hubbs. Time – 2:12. Attendance – TBD.