May 1, 2004
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Santa Clara University softball team earned two must-win victories over Sacramento State this afternoon to remain in first place in Pacific Coast Softball Conference action. The Broncos won 1-0 and 3-1 this afternoon at Shea Stadium and for the second straight year, will head into the final day of league action with the fate of the conference championship in their own hands.
Santa Clara improves to 28-23 overall, 14-4 in the PCSC. Loyola Marymount remains one game back with their victories over Portland today. The Hornets fall to 32-26, 10-8, and remain in third place. Last season, the Broncos found themselves in a must-win situation at Saint Mary's during the final weekend of the schedule, but were unable to convert, handing LMU the inaugural league crown.
In the first game, the Broncos scored the game winning run in the top of the third inning. Senior pitcher Jaime Forman-Lau started off the inning with a double to left field. Sophomore outfielder Keri Reisinger then moved Forman-Lau to third off a sacrifice bunt. Sophomore second baseman Jenny Brown singled to left field to bring home Forman-Lau.
The Broncos tallied 10 hits in the opening game.
Forman-Lau took the win for the Broncos striking out seven batters and allowing only three hits. Sacramento State pitcher Nicole Deatherage records the loss and ends the day 13-11.
In the matinee, Santa Clara took the early lead over Sacramento State scoring a run in the top of the first. Brown led off with a double to left center. Junior third basemen Vanessa Werner then reached first on a walk. Sophomore Jessica Clee hit into a double play with Brown out on the play and Werner moving to second. Senior catcher Rachel Sherman then drove in Werner on a single to center field to put the Broncos on the board.
The Broncos added two security runs in the top of the third inning.
Sacramento State made a comeback attempt in the bottom of the sixth, scoring one run, but were unable to further capitalize on the opportunity.
Sophomore pitcher Liz Courter records the win for the Broncos and improves to 5-7, while Hornet pitcher Jennifer Fryou takes the loss and falls to 3-4.
The Broncos close the regular season with two more games against the Hornets. The Sunday doubleheader will begin at noon.
