April 24, 2001
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Designated hitter Gina Saldana drove in four of San Jose State's five runs--and scored the fifth--as the Spartans swept Santa Clara 1-0 and 5-1 this evening at Marsalli Park.
The contests closed out the home schedule for the Broncos with a 9-16 mark. Overall, SCU is 14-31. The Spartans improve to 26-33 and take the season series 5-1.
The opener remained scoreless through six innings. A deep double to left center by Spartan third baseman Veronica Ramos started the seventh. Pinch runner Dianna Lilly advanced to third on a sacrifice fly by left fielder Jackie Jimenez. With two outs recorded, Saldana came in to pinch hit for center fielder Heather Sindlinger and took the first pitch up the middle to score Lilly for the game-winner.
Spartan pitcher Candice Akin evened her record at 7-7 with the win while senior Bronco Krista Barry took the loss on the mound to fall to 8-14 this season. San Jose State outhit SCU 6-2, including two more doubles by right fielder Katie Gomes and first baseman Karlie Reiss.
Santa Clara's offense gained momentum in the second game, as the Broncos loaded the bases with one out in the third--on consecutive singles by freshman third baseman Vanessa Werner, freshman second baseman Lauren Fissori and junior center fielder Sydney Wiginton--but the home team was unable to convert the opportunity.
The Spartans took note and opened a three-run lead in the fourth, with two runs brought in by Saldana. With one out in the inning, second baseman Amy Walter reached base on balls and advanced on a wild pitch by junior Bronco Deanna Rodriguez. Ramos singled up the middle to score Walter. Lilly returned to pinch run, and stole second and later third. Jimenez also reached base on balls and advanced to second as the Broncos registered a second out. Saldana came up to plate for a two-run single to center field.
The Broncos countered with a two-out single by sophomore catcher Roni Rivera in the bottom of the inning to bring in senior left fielder Melanie Barker. Barker was running for freshman catcher Jennifer Henderson, who reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to third on a single by Werner.
Two runs were added in the sixth for San Jose State. A Saldana double brought in pinch runner Heather Sindlinger, after she reached with a single by right fielder Kirsten Foster. Two outs later, Saldana scored off a Reiss single to close out scoring.
SJSU pitcher Sabrina Quintero improved to 12-14 with the win while Rodriguez falls to 6-16. The Broncos posted eight hits in the second game to the Spartans' nine.
The Broncos return to action tomorrow with a non-conference doubleheader at California. The first pitch is slated for 2 p.m. in Berkeley.