March 30, 2004
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University softball team will close its non-conference schedule tomorrow afternoon, hosting 18th-ranked Pacific at Marsalli Park. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m. Admission is free.
The Broncos have won three straight and are 11-17 on the season. Junior third baseman Vanessa Werner leads the team with a .322 batting average, while junior outfielder Jessica Clee has posted 11 RBIs and three home runs. Defensively, senior Jaime Forman-Lau has a 1.35 ERA and has struck out 126 batters. The 13 Ks she earned last Saturday at Cal Poly moved her into second all time in SCU records. She is currently at 405. Jessica Acord (1994-97) holds the all-time mark with 504 career strikeouts.
The Tigers (21-9) will represent the eighth nationally-ranked team Santa Clara has faced this season. Pacific senior Jennifer Dacre was named Big West Pitcher of the week on Monday, her second such honor of the season. Natalie King leads the Tigers defensively with a 0.82 ERA and a 10-2 record. Offensively, Pacific is led by Gina Carbonatto's .440 batting average and Crystal Presson's 17 RBIs.
Wednesday's contest begins a four-game homestand at Marsalli Park. The Broncos will open Pacific Coast Softball Conference play with two days of action against Portland State this weekend. Saturday and Sunday doubleheaders will both start at noon. On Tuesday, April 6, the Broncos will host UC Davis at 2 p.m.
