Feb. 9, 2007
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - The Santa Clara softball team got their 2007 season underway against PCSC foe Sacramento State on Friday morning at the Mustang Classic, hosted by Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Calif. It was a tough start for the Broncos, who got down early and were defeated by a score of 9-3. Freshman Kaitlyn Rauschnot had a strong debut for the Broncos.
Junior Jerrica Castagno started the game for the Broncos and got into some trouble early on and was replaced by freshman Kaitlyn Rauschnot in the bottom of the 2nd inning after the first three batters reached base and scored.
Rauschnot entered the game with one out in the bottom of the 2nd and was impressive in her debut, pitching four and two thirds innings and not giving up a run until the sixth inning.
Sacramento State, known for their battery, didn't show it well, as Hornets starter Cassie Cervates issued ten walks in her three and a third innings. The Broncos patience at the plate brought them very close as they left the bases loaded in the 2nd and 3rd innings.
Rauschnot's success in the circle and the Broncos perseverence at the plate led to a rally in the top of the 6th inning. After shortstop Ashley Grove and Emily Batt each singled to lead off the sixth, Breann Netto grounded out to the pitcher and junior Jackie Morales grounded into a fielders choice. An error by the third baseman on Morales' hit resulted in an error, allowing Grove to score the Broncos first run of the season. Senior Angela Kabanuck stepped up to the plate and kept the rally going with a double to rightfield, scoring Batt and Morales and narrowing the Hornets' lead to 6-3, but that would be as close as the Broncos came.
In the last of the sixth, Rauschnot gave up two singles and then a two-run home run to Jamie Schloredt, her second home run of the game, and the Hornets held the Broncos off the scoreboard in their final opportunity of the game, as they went on to win 9-3. Jerrica Castagno took the loss for the Broncos and Cervantes earned the win for the Hornets.