May 6, 2001
MORAGA, Calif. - Saint Mary's freshman pitchers Jennifer Eaton and Sara Wiedlin combined to allow just seven hits in 14 innings as the Gael softball team swept Santa Clara in a Western Independent Softball League Tournament doubleheader this afternoon by scores of 1-0 and 3-1. Santa Clara falls to 14-37 on the season while Saint Mary's improves to 26-31.
The solo run in game one came in the bottom of the fourth when Gael Jennifer Fawkes led off the inning with a triple to left field and later scored on a base hit by Jessica Hanaseth. That was all the damage SMC would do offensively, but solid defense and a complete game five-hit performance by Eaton sealed the win for Saint Mary's. Eaton struck out seven Bronco batters, walked non and improved to 12-14 on the season.
For Santa Clara, junior pitcher Deanna Rodriguez picked up the loss, despite allowing just five hits. Her record drops to 6-19 on the season.
With Saint Mary's as the designated visiting team in game two, the Gaels continued to get solid pitching, this time from Wiedlin. SMC went ahead 1-0 in the third inning, as an error by freshman second baseman Lauren Fissori allowed Kami Gray to reach base and spark a Gael rally. Fawkes and Janelle Yousef followed Gray with base hits, and junior Talaya Turner scored Gray with a base hit through the left side.
The Gaels added another run in the fifth when Turner picked up her second RBI in the game with a base hit to score Yousef. Santa Clara answered in the sixth, when a two-out walk and a passed ball led to a run on an error by Fawkes in left field, making the score 2-1. Saint Mary's brought in Eaton to relieve Wiedlin in the sixth, and Eaton got the third out in the inning with a swinging strike out.
Saint Mary's added an insurance run in the top of the seventh when Jenn Arnold hit her second homerun of the season to put the Gaels up 3-1. Eaton retired the side in the bottom half of the inning to secure the Gael victory.
Wiedlin threw 5.2 innings, allowing just two hits and no earned runs. She picked up the win to even her record to 14-14 on the season. Eaton earned her second save of the season, throwing 1.1 innings and allowing no hits with one strikeout.
For the Broncos, senior pitcher Krista Barry allowed three runs on six hits with one strikeout. Her record drops to 8-17 on the mound.
The Broncos continue play at the Western Independent Softball League Tournament this weekend in Los Angeles. Hosted by Loyola Marymount, San Diego and Saint Mary's will also participate. Santa Clara will open the tournament of Friday against LMU at 11 a.m., followed by a 1 p.m. meeting with San Diego.