Broncos Lose To Iowa State 3-2 In Bottom Of 7th Inning

Broncos Lose To Iowa State 3-2 In Bottom Of 7th Inning

March 9, 2007

Box Score

SUNNYVALE, Calif. - The Santa Clara softball team was knocking on the door all night long, but a passed ball with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning gave Iowa State a run to break a 2-2 tie. Jerrica Castagno went the distance for the Broncos and struck out six batters, and  Sara Overmier and Angie Kabanuck had two hits apiece, but it was not enough for Santa Clara, who fell to 4-21.

The Broncos wasted no time getting runs on the board. Kabanuck led off the game with a single. Nori Kamada sacrificed Kabanuck to second, and then two illegal pitches allowed Kabanuck to score.

Castagno kept Iowa State off the bases and in the third inning, Santa Clara tacked on another run. Overmier singled, and then scored after Nicole Picard, Kabanuck and Kamada each put the ball in play.

In the bottom of the third, Iowa State fought back and three singles and a fielders choice allowed two runs to cross the plate, tying the game.

Santa Clara worked hard on offense. In the top of the fifth, Picard doubled, and then a single and a stolen base by Kabanuck put two in scoring position with two outs, but the Broncos were unable to convert.

Castagno retired the Cyclones in order in the fifth and sixth, giving the Broncos a great opportunity to score the game-winning run. Overmier led off the top of the seventh with a double down the left field line, and then advanced to third thanks to a great slapper by Picard. It looked like Kabanuck's solid contact would make it through to score Overmier from third, but Iowa State pitcher Christina Carlin made a great play on a very sharp come-backer to retire Kabanuck at first base and leave Overmier waiting on third base. Kamada grounded out to end the inning, leaving it up to the defense to hold strong.

Iowa State put a runner in scoring position after leading off the inning with a single, a sacrifice, and another single. With just one out, there was a runner on third. A passed ball was all it took for the winning run to cross, giving the Cyclones the 3-2 victory.

Santa Clara continues NIST play Saturday beginning at 10:30 a.m. against Connecticut, and at 3:00 p.m. they will take on Iowa, all from Twin Creeks in Sunnyvale, Calif.