The Santa Clara Bruins have one more road game remaining, but they unfortunately ran into some bad luck in their home finale against the Saratoga Falcons on Tuesday. While celebrating their senior night, the Bruins ended up facing arguably the toughest pitcher they have faced all season. Saratoga senior Nathan Peng conceded just two infield hits and three walks in five and 1/3 innings while striking out 11 Bruins. The Falcons offense dropped a four-spot in the second inning and would go on to shutout Santa Clara 7-0.
“He had a lot of movement, and the earlier you load up the better,” commented Bruins’ senior Matt Glennon, on facing Peng. Glennon drew two of Santa Clara’s three walks. “It was all about timing, as he mixed up the pitches really well too.”
Glennon, along with fellow seniors Tyler Kennedy, Nick Postag and Robert Green all cited their come-from-behind victory late in the season over Gunn as the highlight of their year. With a 4-10 league record, the Bruins will not be advancing to the CCS playoffs this year, but their victory over Gunn knocked the Titans out of playoff contention.
“Beating Gunn for sure,” commented Green when asked about the best game of the season. “It was 6-3 and we came back and scored six runs in the top of the seventh to win.”
When asked if there were any individual teammates or coaches he wished to praise, Kennedy offered up Green’s name, his battery mate behind the dish.
“What stands out the most to me this year is being able to play with my brothers,” commented Kennedy, who served as the Bruins’ ace pitcher this season. “Robbie my right-hand man as the other half of the battery was always there catching for me.”
Starting senior night on the mound for the Bruins was Postag. While the southpaw struggled a bit with his command, his usual electric stuff earned him double-digit strikeouts in his own right, picking up 10 in five and 2/3 innings.
“I felt great today on the mound,” remarked Postag. “I thought I could have a little bit more command of the strike zone, but some pitches get away and some hit their spots.”
The Bruins still have one more game remaining on May 10, but Tuesday was the last time they would get to play on their home field at Washington Park. Pitching Coach Al Bonvicino had nothing but praise for the four seniors.
“They were great, the seniors were great all year,” remarked the veteran coach on the 2018 graduating class. “Postag was awesome, Kennedy, Tyler is Tyler, he keeps the team loose. Matt had a good season and Robbie too. I’m proud of all four of them, they did a great job for us, it’s just too bad how their last season went. Our four seniors though are class acts.”