May 4, 2002
MORAGA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University softball team fell twice to Saint Mary's this afternoon, falling 4-3 in the first game at the Cottrell Field. The second game of the doubleheader also favored the Gaels, 5-1.
Santa Clara, now 21-36 on the season, remains one win shy of tying the most wins in a season for the program in the last eight years, attempting to match the 1995 Broncos, who went 22-38. Santa Clara returns to Moraga next weekend to conclude the season at the WISL Championships. Saint Mary's (15-34) closed out its home season with the wins.
The opener was scoreless through the first four frames. SMC opened a three-run lead in the bottom of the fifth. Gael rightfielder Jordann Bass singled to center to open the inning and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by designated hitter Lauren Capoccia. Bass advanced to third on Staci Hamaguchi's bunt. Both runners scored on Talaya Turner's single, while Tuner reached home on Tiffany Redding's single.
Santa Clara responded at its next at-bat. Junior outfielder Coresta Salas reached base on balls and advanced to second on senior outfielder Sydney Wiginton's bunt. Sophomore Rachel Sherman, playing third base in today's contests, singled Salas home and advanced into scoring position herself on the throw. Junior Tracie Hall kept the momentum going with her own single that brought in Wiginton.
Later in the inning, with one out on the board, freshman Kelley Johnson grounded out to the pitcher, but it was enough to score Sherman and tie the ball game.
The Broncos added two hits in the seventh inning, but couldn't add any more runs. Saint Mary's took the game with a lead-off walk to Hamaguchi, who advanced to second on short stop Kami Gray's sacrifice bunt. Redding singled to bring home the winning run.
Santa Clara scattered nine hits to SMC's eight in the error-free game. Senior Deanna Rodriguez took the loss for the Broncos. Wiginton went 3-4 at the plate.
In the second game, Santa Clara took an early lead. Salas started the game by reaching base on balls. With one out, Sherman singled to left field, and then advanced to second on a Gael error, moving Salas to third. Hall brought Salas in with her own single.
Saint Mary's evened the score with one run in the fourth, off of three hits. SCU countered in the next frame with a bases loaded situation, but freshman Andria Plasencia was tagged at home. The Gaels scored four runs off five hits in the fifth to secure the victory.
Freshman Jennifer Ponzo took the loss for the Broncos in the circle. SCU had another error-free game, and finished with fife hits.