May 3, 2006

Santa Clara, Calif. - At the end of every season, the final home game for any collegiate athletic team is an emotional time and this will hold true for the Santa Clara softball team. This weekend, Santa Clara (20-34, 7-9 PCSC) will host two doubleheaders against Pacific Coast Softball Conference rival Saint Mary's beginning at noon and in between Game One and Two on Sunday, five seniors will be honored for their dedication and spirit as Broncos over the past four years. Catchers Jenny Brown and Kate Goethals, left field Jessica Clee, pitcher Liz Courter, and shortstop Shannon Linerud will take their positions at Marsalli Park one final time this weekend and the quintet are looking end the season in great fashion with a high placement in the PCSC.

The Gaels currently own an overall record of 5-45 after suffering a four-game sweep by Sacramento State last weekend. Leading the way for Saint Mary's is Brownyn Russell, last year's PCSC Freshman of the Year. She is the top hitter on the team, with a batting percentage of .394 and has accumulated 54 hits on the year, with eight of them being doubles. Shelly Taketa is the Gaels' leading long-range bomber, with four home runs to her credit. In the circle, SMC relies on a variety of hurlers, with Megan Galloway and Chelsea Loftis making the most appearances. Jessica Hanaseth is in her second season at the helm of the softball program and took over in 2005 after being associated with the team the past eight years.

"Playing Saint Mary's this weekend, we hope to put ourselves in good position and finish strong within our conference," said head coach Steve Rianda. "Saint Mary's has played some good games as of late, but we are hitting and pitching well and I think that will translate to some success on our end."