Feb. 23, 2001
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University softball team split its first two games at the UCSB / Easton Invitational as they dropped a contest to host UCSB, 10-4, and defeated the University of Virginia, 3-1.
UCSB 10, Santa Clara 4
Bronco shortstop Tracie Hall went 2-for-4 with two RBI but it wasn't enough to stop the Gauchos' biggest run output of the season in a 10-4 loss in the opening game of the tournament. Coresta Salas entered the game at right field and went 2-for-2 with a home run scored for an RBI. Deanna Rodriguez received the loss for the Broncos after giving up six run in the first four innings of the game.
Santa Clara 3, Virginia 1
Santa Clara pitcher Kristy Barry shut down Virginia with a complete game victory. The Broncos scored two runs in the top of the third with singles by Kristi Harrington and Tracie Hall. Kristen Dennis led the way for the Cavaliers going two for three with a run and an RBI.
Utah 4, Auburn 3
Utah hung on to beat Auburn as they scored all four runs in the top of the first inning. Utah sluggers Melissa Stahnke and Niki Hayhurst each homered in the first inning. The Tigers were led by Michelle Martin as she went three for three with an RBI and a run. Utah pitcher Kristin Arbogast pitched a complete game.
Texas A&M 4, Auburn 3
Auburn was edged out once more. Texas A&M scored a run in the bottom of sixth inning, capitilizing on a throwing error by the Tigers. Aggie pitcher Lindsay Wilhemsom pitched six strong innings not allowing an earned run to pick up the victory. Jaime Rasmussen of Auburn pithced a complete game but came up just short.
Utah 7, UC Riverside 0
Utah dominated UC Riverside with a complete game shutout performance by Heather Bowlin. The Utes scored four runs in the first inning and never looked back. Utah was led by second baseman Michele Larsen as she went two for three with four RBI and a run. The Highlanders were victimized by fielding errors in the first inning that led to three Utah scores.
Cal Poly 5, Colorado State 0
Cal Poly breezes by Colorado State with a pitching gem turned in by Terra Blankenblecer. Blankenblecer tossed a complete game four-hitter and struck out five hitters. Cal Poly scored three runs in the third inning in route to a 5-0 shutout.
Texas A&M 5, Cal Poly 3
Texas A&M wins in dramatic fashion as Selena Collins hits a three-run homer the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Aggies their second win of the day. Aggie pitcher Amy Vining went the distance not allowing an earned run while strucking out nine batters. The Mustangs were led by outfielder Gemma Dalena as she went three for four with an RBI.
Colorado State 3, UC Riverside 2
Colorado State came back from a 2-1 deficit to beat UC Riverside in nine innings. The Rams scored on a wild pitch in the top of the seventh inning to sent the game into extra inings. The Rams scored in the ninth inning of a single by Arica Heisel. Megan Masser of Colorado State pitched all nine innings to earn the win.
