Santa Clara pounded out six runs and 15 hits while the Broncos pitching staff combined for a five-hit shutout to defeat the Sacramento State baseball team, 6-0, Tuesday afternoon at Hornet Field. The Hornets dropped to 30-21 on the year while the Broncos increased their record to 27-24.Santa Clara jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the fourth inning after an RBI singled by A.J. LaBarbera and Jack Headley and a two-run homer by Michael Thompson. Will Thompson led off the inning with a double down the right-field line and would score on LaBarbera’s base hit to right field. In the next at-bat, Michael Thompson hit a drive over the left-center wall. With two outs and a man on third, Headley scored the Broncos final run of the inning with a base knock to right center.
The Broncos added two more runs in the ninth after an RBI single by Jim Wallace and an RBI double by LaBarbera.
Patrick McBride (1-0) earned the win after allowing only one hit while striking out one in two innings of relief. Santa Clara starter Scott Shapiro, McBride, Andrew Slorp, Matt Krueger, Thomas Van Buskirk, Anthony Rea and Chad Fillinger combined to allow only five hits while walking four and striking out six.
Junior Chris Kinsey (6-6) was tagged with the loss after allowing four runs on sevens hits while walking two and striking out five in 3.2 innings.
Senior Tim Reimer led the Hornet offense after finishing 2-for-3 from the plate. The San Jose native increased his season-high hitting streak to nine game and his team-high walk total to 30. Juniors John Acha, Cliff Hinkle and Mikela Olsen also recorded hits for the Hornets.
LaBarbera led the Bronco offense by going 4-for-5 with a double, one run, two RBI.
Sacramento State will next travel to Pullman, Wash., for a three-game series with Washington State beginning on Friday, May 9, at 2 p.m.
