Softball Splits with Saint Mary's

Softball Splits with Saint Mary's

April 22, 2001

Box Score

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara split 5-0 games with Saint Mary's this afternoon in a WISL doubleheader at Marsalli Park. The Broncos improve to 14-29 overall, 1-5 in league play, while the Gaels move to 23-26, 1-1.

In the opener, Saint Mary's loaded the bases quickly in the first, on consecutive singles by left fielder Jennifer Fawkes and third baseman Janelle Yousef. Senior Bronco pitcher Krista Barry then walked second baseman Jessica Hanaseth. Gael shortstop Holly Ferreira kept the momentum rolling for the visitors by scoring all three with a double to left field. She added a run herself with a safe call at home plate on an infield hit from right fielder Tiffany Redding.

Saint Mary's registered three straight singles to open the sixth inning and load the bases again. The Broncos saved one run with an out at home, but Redding was able to score off a single by center fielder Talaya Turner, whose high line drive tipped off Bronco second baseman Lauren Fissori's glove and into the outfield for an extra run.

In all, the Gaels tallied 12 hits to the Broncos' 11. Each team stranded eight runners on base. SMC pitcher Jennifer Eaton improved to 10-11 on the season while Barry took the loss for the Santa Clara and is now 8-13 on the year.

Senior left fielder Jayne Whitney returned to the lineup after missing 18 games over five weeks due to a broken bone in her right hand. She singled with a short infield looper and beat the throw to first base to start the third inning. It was the first of four hits in the frame for the Broncos.

Junior pitcher Deanna Rodriguez led the Bronco defense in the second game as she opened it by striking out seven of the first 10 batters she faced. She finished with nine strikeouts.

Scoring began in the fourth for the Broncos. Sophomore shortstop Tracie Hall hit a one-out single into right center. Barry pinch ran for Hall and promptly stole second. Rodriguez then came up to bat and reached base on balls. Sophomore Coresta Salas' double down the left field line scored Barry before the inning ended.

Saint Mary's threatened in the sixth with two runners in scoring position, but couldn't convert.

The Broncos added four runs in the bottom of the sixth to ensure the victory. Singles by Hall and Salas sandwiched a walk for Rodriguez to load the bases. Gael pitcher Sara Wiedlin then walked the Broncos' next two batters, freshman third baseman Vanessa Werner and sophomore catcher Roni Rivera, to bring in Hall and Rodriguez and end her afternoon, talking her 11th loss of the season.

With Eaton on the mound again, senior right fielder Melanie Barker reached base on a fielder's choice while Rivera was out at second. Salas scored on the throw. As Barker stole second, Werner ran in the Broncos fifth and final run of the afternoon.

The Gaels managed four hits and again, left eight runners on the bases. Santa Clara scored with sixth hits, improving Rodriguez's record to 6-15 on the year.

The Broncos remain at home and will host a doubleheader vs. San Jose State on Tuesday. The game was originally scheduled for April 11 but postponed due to rain. The first pitch is slated for 4 p.m. at Marsalli Park.