SANTA CLARA, Calif. --- The Santa Clara Broncos scored 16 runs in the first three innings en route to an 18-6 win over the Portland Pilots in a West Coast Conference baseball game at Stephen Schott Stadium on Friday night. The loss drops the Pilots to 14-32 (2-14 WCC) on the season, while the Broncos improve to 27-24 (8-11 WCC)

SCU scored seven in the first inning, five in the second and four more in the third to take a commanding 16-3 lead. The Broncos touched Portland starter Sean Sargent (3-10) for five runs, three earned, on five hits. Sargent didn’t record an out before being replaced by Blaine Hardy. Michael Lange capped the scoring in the first with a two-run double to left-center field that made it 7-0.

The Pilots responded with three in the top of the second. Senior Gustaf Little knocked in a run with a single, while freshman Paul Crowder brought home two runs with a double.

In the bottom half, Jason Matteucci and Eric Newton each knocked in two RBI’s, before Donald Brandt hit a solo home run to right field.

SCU added four more in the third, fueled by a three-run homer by Matteucci.

Portland freshman Sean Nicol hit his third home run of the season in the fifth to make it a 16-4 game. Nicol’s blast was a two-run shot to left field.

Santa Clara starter Matt Wickswat (9-2) allowed six runs, five earned, in 6.1 innings to pick up the win. Wickswat struck out nine and didn’t walk a hitter.

The Pilots added another run in the seventh on Matthew Peters’ team-leading sixth sacrifice fly of the season.

Matteucci finished with five RBI’s for the Broncos.

Crowder and Little each had two hits for Portland.

The Pilots and Broncos are scheduled to play the second game of a three-game series tomorrow at 1 p.m. Sunday’s finale is also slated for 1 p.m.