SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Abraham Valdez's two-run homer in the ninth inning proved to be the difference for BYU, which defeated Santa Clara baseball, 3-1, on Saturday in the regular-season finale.
Valdez was involved in all the scoring for the Cougars (36-15, 19-8 West Coast Conference). Brian Hsu knocked him in with an RBI single in the second off starter Brandon Buckley, one of three pitchers used by Santa Clara.
With the score knotted at 1-all in the ninth and pinch runner Zack Peterson aboard against Bronco closer Eric Lex, Valdez sent a 1-0 offering over the left center field wall for his first-career home run.