Broncos Lose 6-5 to NIU in Bottom of 7th

Broncos Lose 6-5 to NIU in Bottom of 7th

Feb. 25, 2007

Box Score

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara softball team had five runs and seven hits in Saturday's match with Northern Illinois University (NIU) at the UCSB Mini Tournament in Santa Barbara, Calif. But a passed ball and an error in the bottom of the 7th inning allowed NIU to score three runs and win the game.

In the third inning, the Broncos got their offense started when Noelani Hoopii led off with a double to right-centerfield. A sacrifice by Sara Overmier and then a fielders choice allowed Hoopii to score, and then a hit by Nori Kamada and a sac fly by Jackie Morales allowed Meghan Chavez to score and the Broncos had a 2-0 lead.

Two singles and an error on the bottom of the third would give NIU one run back. And then in the bottom of the fourth, a walk and two consecutive doubles added two more runs and NIU had their first lead of the game 3-2.

In the sixth inning the Broncos tied the game thanks to a triple by Ashley Blier and single for Alyc Kalamaha. Kalamaha was 2-for-3 with two singles and two stolen bases.

Then in the seventh, Kaitlyn Rauschnot had a pinch hit single to lead off, and advanced to third after Chavez reached on an error. Kamada grounded into a fielders choice, bringing up Morales with runners at second and third. The junior from Livermore, Calif. blasted a double to left field, scoring both runners and the Broncos had a 5-3 lead.

But as has been the case too often this season, untimely errors made the difference. NIU got their first run back on a passed ball, and then after a hit and a fielders choice, NIU, trailing 5-4, had runners at second and third with two outs. An error at second base by Kalamaha allowed both runners to score, and the game ended 6-5.

For the game, the Broncos finished with five runs, seven hits and three errors. The Broncos will continue the UCSB Mini Tournament this afternoon against the University of Texas-San Antonio.