March 13, 2005
SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Santa Clara University scored seven runs in the third inning and held on for a 7-5 victory over host San Jose State to capture fifth place at the National Invitation Softball Tournament at Twin Creeks in Sunnyvale. The Broncos are now 13-14 on the season while the Spartans fall to 18-11.
San Jose State held a 3-0 lead after the top half of the third inning, and had already notched six of its 11 hits on the day. Five of the Spartans' six errors came in the bottom half of the frame, handing victory over to the Broncos. San Jose State attempted a rally with two runs in the seventh, but could not overcome the deficit.
Pinch hitter Meghan Chavez started the bottom half of the third reaching base on balls and advanced to second on an error by the Spartan short stop, allowing Bronco short stop Shannon Linerud to reach first on a fielder's choice. The bases became loaded when an error by the pitcher allowed infielder Vanessa Werner to reach first safely. Second baseman Jenny Brown's ensuing single brought home Chavez, and a SJSU throwing error allowed Linerud to also score. Outfielder Jessica Clee followed with a single up the middle to bring home both Werner and Brown and put the Broncos ahead 4-3.
One out later, a Kelley Johnson single kept the Bronco offense going. Clee and Daisy Mettlach scored on another throwing error that advanced Johnson to third. Mettlach was hit by a pitch to advance to first. After a second out, Johnson was able to score on an infield error that made it a 7-3 contest.
Linerud and Mettlach added singles in the first two innings to round out the Broncos' five hits of the contest. Jerrica Castagno started the contest and struck out five in three innings. Sara Overmier earned the victory.
The Broncos open a five-game homestand at Marsalli Park when they return to action next week. On Thursday, Santa Clara hosts UC Riverside in a double header that will begin at 10 a.m. The team will follow with a pair of games against St. Francis (N.Y.) on Friday at noon, and then host Brown the following Wednesday, March 30, at 1 p.m. Santa Clara will then open the Pacific Coast Softball Conference season April 2 and 3 with contests against Sacramento State.
