April 18, 2004
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University softball team earned two victories this afternoon in Pacific Coast Softball Conference play, topping Saint Mary's 10-0 and 4-1 at Marsalli Park. Santa Clara improves to 22-23, 8-4, while the Gaels fall to 9-36, 2-10.
The Broncos offense was unstoppable today, as they combined for 24 hits in today's action against Saint Mary's. The 10-run stomp in the first game started in the top of the first as sophomore shortstop Shannon Linerud reached first on an error by the Gael second baseman. Senior catcher Rachel Sherman then hit a ground rule double as the ball bounced over the right field fence to place runners on second and third. Sophomore Liz Courter, the designated player, hit a deep fly ball to center field enabling Linerud to tag-up and score.
Santa Clara added four more runs in the top of the fourth, senior Jaime Forman-Lau leading off the inning with a solo blast over the left field fence. The final five runs of the game were due in part to a three-run homer over the right field fence by sophomore outfielder Jessica Clee in the top of the fifth.
Forman-Lau took the win for the Broncos as her record moves to 18-16. Jennifer Eaton took the loss for Saint Mary's and ends the day 5-21.
In the second game, the Bronco scoring started late in the game. In the top of the fifth, their three-run rally started with one out and junior third baseman Vanessa Werner on first. Clee then doubled to left field allowing Werner to advance to third. Freshman outfielder Angela Kabanuck then grounded out to the Saint Mary's shortstop allowing Werner to score and Clee to reach third. Linerud hit an infield single, scoring Clee. The rally ended with a double by Sherman to right center sending Linerud home.
In the top of the seventh, Sherman hit a solo homerun over the centerfield fence, her second of the weekend, to give the Broncos a 4-0 lead.
The Gaels made one last effort to comeback in the bottom of the seventh as they managed to push one run across home plate.
Forman-Lau pitched the second game of the day for the Broncos as well, taking the win, and ending the day 19-16. Lisa Bautista takes the loss for the Gaels and falls to 4-11.
Santa Clara will close out the PCSC season on the road, with trips to San Diego and Sacramento State. The Broncos will play the Toreros next weekend, and visit the Hornets the first weekend in May. All four doubleheaders are scheduled for noon starts.
