SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara baseball was one strike away from taking the series opener against Pacific, however, defensive miscues allowed the Tigers to score two runs each in the ninth and 10th innings and fell, 9-8 on Friday night.
The Broncos (7-24, 1-9 WCC) committed five errors in the game that led to eight unearned runs. Despite that, Santa Clara led 7-5 heading to the top of the ninth behind four home runs, two by Jake MacNichols and one each by Ryan McCarthy and Andre Nnebe.
Broncos reliever Travis Howard (0-2), who had retired eight straight Pacific (18-16, 5-8 WCC) batters in relief including five in a row on strikeouts, was set to close out the game in the ninth.