March 8, 2002

PLEASANTON, Calif. - The Santa Clara University softball team defeated Miami (Ohio) 7-1 to end day one action at the National Invitational Softball Tournament. The tournament, hosted by San Jose State University at the Pleasanton Sports Complex, continues through the weekend.

The Broncos moved to 9-16 on the season, after opening the tournament with a 6-3 loss to sixth-ranked California and a 5-0 decision to Virginia.

Down 5-0 to the Bears heading into the bottom of the sixth, Bronco sophomore Rachel Sherman brought in two runs with her two-out triple, brining in Lacey Smale and Kristi Harrington. Coresta Salas opened the inning with her single to right field. Harrington followed with a walk. Both runners advanced on Tracie Hall's sacrifice bunt. Smale reached on a fielder's choice while Salas was tagged at home. Cal switched pitchers to close out the inning.

The Broncos had one more chance to rally in the next inning. Down 6-2, freshman Jennifer Ponzo notched a one-out double. She was replaced by pinch runner Keri Reisinger, who advanced to third on Deanna Rodriguez's ground out. Salas notched her second hit of the contest with a double to left center that brought Reisinger in and rounded out the Bronco scoring.

Cal jumped to an early lead with two runs in the first. Santa Clara's Kelley Johnson took the loss for the Broncos in the circle and moved to 2-3 on the season.

Against Virginia, Rodriguez went 3-3 at the plate, but the Broncos were unable to produce any runs. Ponzo took the loss for Santa Clara and is now 2-7 from the circle this year.

Reisinger earned her first hit of the year, an RBI double against Miami. Salas added a home run while Rodriguez earned her fifth win of the season.