March 10, 2007
SUNNYVALE, Calif. - The Santa Clara softball team continued play at the NIST hosted by San Jose State at Twin Creeks in Sunnyvale, Calif. with a rematch against the University of Connecticut. UCONN visited Marsalli Park last weekend for the Bronco Stampede, and defeated the Broncos twice. The Broncos played another very close game, but came up short 1-0.
The Broncos got started well, as they have done all season. Angela Kabanuck singled to lead off the game, and Nori Kamada moved her up to second. After Kabanuck stole third, the Broncos appeared ready to score the first run of the game. Alyc Kalamaha flied out to centerfield, forcing a play at the plate for a tagging Kabanuck. Kabanuck beat the throw, but was later called out for leaving early.
Junior Jackie Morales got the start for the Broncos and was in some trouble in the first inning. After a leadoff single by Micah Truax, a bunt down the first base line was overthrown by Sara Overmier, allowing Truax to advance to third base with nobody out. However, Morales recovered, and retired the side without allowing a runner to score.
Over the next three innings, each team would flirt with runners in scoring position, but neither could capitalize. In the third, Overmier and Kabanuck each singled, and a wild pitch placed them at second and third with two out, but Kamada was unable to put the ball in play.
For UCONN, Danielle Del Ponte doubled in the third, but the Morales held the Huskies at bay. Then in the fifth, UCONN finally broke the deadlock. Meg Tierney beat the throw on a bunt down the first base line, and then stole second to set up Jillian Ortega. Ortega's single up the middle would have led to a play at the plate, but Kabanuck mishandled the ball allowing Tierney to score without a throw.
In their final two innings, Santa Clara managed just two hits, and were unable to score. Santa Clara will continue play at the NIST Saturday afternoon against the University of Iowa at 3:00 p.m.