March 9, 2006
Santa Clara, Calif. - On a windy and cloudy afternoon that progressed to a heavy downpour, the Santa Clara softball team dropped a 9-0 decision to No. 10 Arizona State in five innings. A second game was scheduled to take place following the conclusion of the first contest, but rain halted play in the bottom of the third inning, thus declaring a no contest. Maggie Godfrey and Jackie Morales led the Bronco offense with one hit apiece in the first game.
Santa Clara (7-12) returns to the field tomorrow at the NIST-Twin Creeks Tournament. The three-day tournament starts off with a 3 p.m. match with Colorado State, followed by a 5 p.m. date with No. 6 California.
In the first contest, the two teams went scoreless until Arizona State's bats came alive in the top of the third, accounting for four runs off of four runs. Starting pitcher Liz Courter did not have much luck cooling down the visitor's offense in the fourth inning, as she was pelted for three hits that resulted in five more runs. The only offense generated by the Broncos was a single each by Godfrey and Morales, in the third and fifth innings, respectively.
Courter (0-4) took the loss, striking out one batter, while Katie Burkhart (9-0) picked up the win, fanning 10 in the process.
In the second game, Arizona State took a 5-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning. With Jessica Clee up at bat, the rain began to pour and the umpires called the game off. The contest will not be made up and because less than five games were completed, it was deemed a no contest.
