March 9, 2001
SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Santa Clara softball split its remaining two games in pool play this afternoon at the National Invitational Softball Tournament, defeating Sacramento State 9-3, but falling to Purdue 7-5. The NIST is being hosted by San Jose State University at the Twin Creeks Complex in Sunnyvale.
Santa Clara moves to 8-12 on the season and finished pool play 1-2, making the Broncos the fourth seed in Pool A for tomorrow's bracket. The Broncos will play host San Jose State at 10 a.m. The winner of that match will play at 2 p.m., while the loser will compete again at 4 p.m.
Against Sacramento State, the Bronco scored twice in the first inning and then followed up in the third with a Kristi Harrington double, a Deanna Rodriguez double, singles by Tracie Hall and Tess Nesbitt for three more runs. Santa Clara added two scores each in the sixth and seventh innings.
In the loss to Purdue, senior pitcher Krista Barry gave up a leadoff homer the Boilermaker's Katie Crabtree, one of five scores in the first inning. Santa Clara responded with three Bronco runs in the bottom half of the inning and rallied with two more scores in the bottom of the seventh, but was not able to overcome Purdue's seven scores off 11 hits. Each team finished with two errors.
The tournament continues through Sunday, with the consolation championship and championship games being played at noon and 2 p.m., respectfully.