March 31, 2004
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University softball team scored three runs in the eighth inning to complete a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over No. 18 Pacific this afternoon at Marsalli Park. The Broncos closed the non-conference season and are now 12-18 on the year. The Tigers took the matinee 9-0 and are now 22-10 on the season.
The opener was scoreless through five innings, as the teams split six hits. Pacific scored in the sixth, with a one-out homerun to centerfield by catcher Ashlie D'Errico. The Tigers added a double in that inning and threatened an inning later, with two singles, but could not convert again in regulation.
Santa Clara had a chance to take the early lead when it loaded the bases in the first, in part to two Tiger errors, but could not capitalize. The Broncos successfully countered in the sixth with the tying run. Leftfielder Jessica Clee opened the frame with a single and moved to second on shortstop Shannon Linerud's sacrifice bunt. Centerfielder Angela Kabanuck followed with a single to put runners on first and third. Catcher Rachel Sherman earned the RBI when the Tigers' throw to home was late.
The Tigers found success with the long ball again in the eighth, as first baseman Jennifer Curtier's blast to left center added two runs for the 3-1 lead.
Tiger pitcher Natalie King walked two batters and allowed a single from Kabanuck in the bottom of the frame and was pulled from the game. Kristen Allen moved from third base into the circle and walked her first batter, bringing in Clee. One out later, pitcher Jaime Forman-Lau singled to center to bring in the tying run. Designated player Liz Courter followed with a single to the right field fence to bring in the game-winner.
The Tigers out-hit the Broncos by a narrow 9-8 margin. Forman-Lau pitched a complete game for her 11th win of the season, striking out six. Offensively, Kabanuck finished 3-4 at the plate to the lead the Broncos. King's record moved to 10-3 with the loss, and struck out five.
In the second game, Pacific scored four unearned runs in the fourth, in part to two Bronco infield errors. The Tigers added five runs in the fifth. Allen's two-run homer to left field started the scoring, and with two outs on the board, UOP put up five straight singles to close out the game.
Courter took the loss for SCU, while Cathie Hacker posted the win. The Broncos were out-hit in this contest 10-4 and finished with four errors.
The Broncos remain at home and 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. Admission is free.
