April 4, 2004
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University softball team earned two shut out victories over Portland State in Pacific Coast Softball Conference action this afternoon at Marsalli Park. The Broncos took the games by 2-0 and 1-0 scores, and are now 14-20, 2-2 on the year. The Vikings fall to 10-21, 2-2 on the season.
In the opening contest, the Broncos posted two runs in the first to take the early lead. Freshman Angela Kabanuck reached on a Viking throwing error by pitcher Michelle Hext, and advanced to second on Vanessa Werner's sacrifice bunt. Second baseman Jenny Brown hit her second double of the weekend, down the left field line off PSU third baseman Annie Peccia's glove, to bring in Kabanuck. Brown reached home on another throwing error by Hext.
Viking shortstop Kira Enlow hit a one-out double to left center to lead Portland State offense, while teammate Maggie DeWall went 2-for-3.
Jaime Forman-Lau led the Broncos in the circle, picking up her 12th win of the season, while striking out seven Vikings. Portland State out-hit SCU for the third straight game, this time by a 6-2 margin. Left fielder Jessica Clee notched the Broncos' other hit, starting the fourth with a single to right field.
The second game saw plenty of offense, as the teams shared 18 hits, and left 21 runners stranded. Santa Clara loaded the bases in the first, but moved no further. The team added two singles in the third, by Brown and senior catcher Rachel Sherman.
Portland State threatened with back-to-back singles in the fourth.
Santa Clara loaded the bases again in the sixth. Clee and fellow outfielder Valerie Mock recorded consecutive singles to start the inning. Two outs later, Kabanuck reached base on balls. Once again, the Vikings were able to shut down the Broncos.
Portland State kept the sixth exciting with their half of the inning. Vikings DeWall, Kayla Lewis and Erin Stokey hit three straight singles to load the bases. The Broncos made their first out with a play at home, and immediately followed with an infield fly. Forman-Lau struck out Rachel Manibusan to end the danger.
Santa Clara kept the momentum in the seventh to earn the victory. Brown reached on an error and advanced to second on shortstop Shannon Linerud's second sacrifice of the game. Sherman then singled to advance Brown to third. Clee followed with an RBI single to bring Brown home for the game-winner.
Forman-Lau picked up her second win of the day, striking out eight in the matinee. Vanessa Holm took the loss. The Broncos out-hit Portland State 10-8.
The Broncos remain at home and will host UC Davis on Tuesday at 2 p.m. Admission is free to Marsalli Park.
