May 6, 2001

Box Score

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara (22-29, 16-11 WCC) staved off elimination in the Coast Division race of the West Coast Conference with a 1-0 shut out of division leader Gonzaga (26-22, 17-10 WCC) on Sunday afternoon at Buck Shaw Stadium. The loss snapped Gonzaga's eleven game WCC winning streak, but the Bulldogs still leave Santa Clara with a one-game Coast Division lead.

Freshman Kellan McConnell (4-1) limited Gonzaga to just two singles by John Gebbers and Jared Hertz as the Broncos starter tossed a complete game with five strikeouts. McConnell only allowed two Bulldogs to reach second base and on both occasions it occurred with two outs in the inning.

Gonzaga starter David Hixson (5-6) looked just as sharp as McConnell allowing only a single unearned run in the fourth inning as he pitched seven innings with five strikeouts. Santa Clara's lone run came as Mike Theoharis led off the fourth with a single to center. While stealing second base, Theoharis moved to third on a throwing error. John Hilvert would deliver the game winning RBI with a single through the left side. Hilvert would be the only player to collect multiple hits in the game going 2-for-4.

The Bulldogs continue to control their own title destiny as they prepare for a three-game set against Loyola Marymount starting Friday at 3 p.m. at August/A.R.T. Stadium. Gonzaga's magic number for clinching its first-ever WCC division title is two games with Gonzaga owning the tie-breaker with Santa Clara for the division title. Santa Clara ends the WCC season with three games at San Francisco.