April 13, 2005
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University softball team dropped 2-0 and 8-2 games against Cal Poly this evening at Marsalli Park to close the non-conference season. Santa Clara has now lost eight straight and its record moves to 20-25. The Mustangs improve to 28-11.
In the opener, Cal Poly took a one-run lead in the fifth. Short stop Jackie Gehrke-Jones singled to center field and advanced to second on centerfielder Lisa Modglin's sacrifice. Leftfielder Chelsea Green immediately followed with a single to left center that scored Gehrke-Jones.
The Mustangs extended that lead by one with first baseman Shannon Brooks' third home run of the season to lead off the sixth inning. The visitors loaded the bases in the seventh but did not add to the score. Robyn Kontra struck out seven in earning her 16th win of the season.
Santa Clara mounted a brief rally in the bottom of the seventh, as right fielder Jillian Cassel registered a one-out single and advanced to third with second baseman Jenny Brown's 11th double of the year. Bronco junior Liz Courter took the loss and is now 10-12 on the year. Santa Clara notched seven total hits, including two each from outfielders Jessica Clee and Angela Kabanuck.
Cal Poly scored with the long ball again in the second game, as catcher Erin Myers hit her ninth of the season. A double by Modglin to start the game and a single from infielder Chelsy Stoufer accounted for Myers' other two RBIs. The Mustangs' extended the lead in the third, loading the bases with no outs and scoring two runs before the Bronco defense could close out the frame.
Santa Clara threatened in the fourth, loading the bases. Short stop Shannon Linerud singled to right center, followed by Clee, who reached base on a Mustang error. Both runners were joined by Kabanuck, as she singled down the left field line. Cal Poly held on to the shut out by recording the final two outs.
Designated player Sabrina Franks put the Broncos on the scoreboard with a two-run homer in the sixth, marking her second of the season. She scored Clee, who doubled earlier in the frame.
Cal Poly added three runs in the seventh and finished with 11 hits. Eva Nelson improved to 11-7 on the season, striking out six. Freshman Jerrica Castagno took the loss and is now 6-9 in the circle. Santa Clara committed four errors on the afternoon.
The Broncos will resume Pacific Coast Softball Conference play this weekend with two doubleheaders against Loyola Marymount. Both pairs of contests will begin at noon at Marsalli Park. Admission is free.
