April 18, 2001
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara softball team snapped a nine-game losing streak by sweeping San Francisco State this evening in non-conference doubleheader at Marsalli Park. Game scores were 3-0 and 8-2 to improve the Broncos' record to 13-28 on the season. The Gators drop to 9-29-1.
Junior outfielder Sydney Wiginton opened game one with a single to left field. She stole second on the very next pitch, and while stealing third, a throwing error by the Gators' catcher brought her in. Later in the inning, with one out on the scoreboard, junior shortstop Tracie Hall reached base on another SFSU error but the Broncos were unable to convert before the inning ended.
San Francisco State responded in the second inning with runners on second and third off two singles and a sacrifice bunt. Designated hitter Jessica Posada struck out swinging for the second out and a very aware Bronco catcher, Roni Rivera, caught a runner off base and assisted on the pick off.
Wiginton opened the third with another single, outrunning the throw from the Gator shortstop. In a repeat of the first inning, she stole second, but was later picked off. SFSU picked off junior first baseman Kristi Harrington after Hall's single up the middle, but Rivera grounded out to end the inning.
The next turn at bat for the Broncos brought the third leadoff hit in four innings, but this time it was a double down the left line by junior designated hitter Deanna Rodriguez. Sophomore right fielder Coresta Salas followed with a single up the middle. A fourth SFSU error, this time on fielding, scored Rodriguez. Freshman second baseman Lauren Fissori's sacrifice hit scored Salas for the final tally.
Senior pitcher Krista Barry earns the win to improve to 8-12 on the season. Each team registered seven hits in the opener.
In the second game, Wiginton reached base on balls and advanced to second as Harrington grounded out to the pitcher. The next Bronco batter, Hall, was hit by a pitch. Rivera then singled to left field and advanced to second on the throw home. In a failed attempt to catch Wiginton at home, Hall moved to third. Rodriguez then grounded out to third, scoring Hall and advancing Rivera to third. Salas walked. As Salas distracted the catcher with her attempt to steal second, Rivera was able to score before Salas recorded the third out of the inning.
After recording three runs in the bottom of the first, the Broncos went unanswered by SFSU in the top of the second. Santa Clara managed a run in the bottom of the inning as Vanessa Werner tripled down the right field line. Fissori reached first on an error by the Gators second baseman scoring Werner.
The Gators began their come back in the top of the fourth. Shortstop Amber Miraya began the inning with a single to center field. An out was then recorded with a pop-up to second baseman Fissori, bringing San Francisco batter Natalie Batista to the plate. Batista tripled to center field as Miraya recorded the Gators first run of the game. Angela Torres then singled to center field to bring in Batista.
Santa Clara put the game away by scoring another four runs in the bottom of the fifth. Hall reached on an error by the SFSU first baseman. Rivera then singled up the middle advancing Hall to second, who was replaced by pinch runner Jenee Cline. Rodriguez then singled to shortstop scoring Cline and advancing Rivera. Barry pinch ran for Rivera. Santa Clara hitter Salas drove the ball deep into left-center, scoring Barry and Rodriguez, and reached home on the throw from the Gators left fielder.
Rodriguez, pitching the second game, earned the win to improve to 5-15 on the season.
The Broncos remain at home and will host a doubleheader vs. Saint Mary's this Sunday. The first pitch is slated for noon at Marsalli Park.