SANTA CLARA, Calif. (Interstat) — In a wild, back-and-forth nonconference baseball game interrupted by rain, the Santa Clara Broncos rallied from an early six-run deficit to defeat the San Jose State Spartans 8-6 on Wednesday afternoon at Stephen Schott Stadium.

The game’s pivotal shift occurred immediately after a 22-minute rain delay in the bottom of the first inning. The Spartans had exploded for six runs in the top of the frame, highlighted by a two-run single from Dylan Jackson. When play resumed with a 3-1 count to Santa Clara’s Michael Cleary, the Broncos’ offense ignited.

Cleary drew the walk, and three batters later, with the bases loaded, Ben Anderson’s single to first base was misplayed by San Jose State first baseman Rohne Klein, allowing two runs to score. Cole Fujimoto followed with a two-run single to right center, cutting the Spartans’ lead to 6-4 before many in the crowd had retaken their seats.

San Jose State (2-2) managed only one more run the rest of the way, that coming on an unearned score in the seventh inning. The Spartans’ early 6-0 advantage, built on nine total hits, was squandered as their offense stalled against a parade of five Santa Clara relievers after the first.

Santa Clara (3-2) chipped away, tying the game in the sixth on an RBI single from JonJon Ross that scored Anthony Ferroggiaro. The Broncos then seized the lead for good in the seventh. After a one-out double from Max Medicoff, who was replaced by pinch-runner Jack Lambert, Anderson delivered again with an RBI single to left center for a 7-6 lead. Following a pitching change, Cole Sos drove in Anderson with another single up the middle to provide the final two-run margin.

The Broncos’ bullpen was instrumental in the comeback. After starter Jack Stewart failed to record an out in the second inning, relievers Nate Reimers, Jack Banning, Will Braga, Anthony Dotoli and Will Alleman combined for nine scoreless innings, allowing just five hits and striking out eight. Alleman earned the save with a scoreless ninth.

San Jose State’s JC OsorioAgard went 2-for-5 with an RBI, while Jake McCoy also had two hits. Vincent Gamberdella, who pinch-hit in the second inning, went 1-for-3 with an RBI double. The Spartans, however, left nine runners on base and grounded into a critical double play in the second inning to stifle a potential rally.

For Santa Clara, Anderson finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, and Ross went 3-for-5 with two RBIs. The Broncos collected 10 hits as a team.

The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 6-4 San Jose State victory, though the system’s ELO rating gave Santa Clara a 58.3% probability to win.

San Jose State looks to rebound Friday when it begins a three-game series against San Francisco. Santa Clara opens a three-game home set against UC Davis on Friday.