March 15, 2007
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara softball team completed their doubleheader with the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), and despite a two-run blast by Sara Overmier in the second inning, the Broncos were unable to avoid the sweep at Marsalli Park Wednesday afternoon.
In Wednesday's second game of the day, the Broncos struck first, again. Ashley Blier led off the bottom of the second inning with a base hit to right. After Jackie Morales flied out to left field, Overmier stepped up and launched a home run over the fence in left field and into the parking lot, her first of the season to give Santa Clara a 2-0 lead.
But in the top of the third, UNI came charging back. Strong defensive play from Angie Kabanuck kept the Panthers off the board early in the inning. With runners on first and second, Rachel Gerking singled up the middle. Stephanie Aguero got greedy on the bases and rounded third base only to be thrown out at home plate thanks to a laser of a throw from Kabanuck and a nice tag by catcher Emily Batt.
The ensuing walk loaded the bases for Stefaney Shalla, who followed in Overmier's footsteps, launching a home run to left field, a grand slam to give the Panthers a 4-2 advantage.
In the fourth, three consecutive singles off Jerrica Castagno, who replaced starter Lauren Passafuime, led to the Panther's fifth and final run of the afternoon.
With time running out, the Broncos struggled to put runners on base, and in her final at bat of the afternoon, Kabanuck was unable to extend her hitting streak, which ended at 15-games, dating back to February 25th.
Santa Clara (5-25) will travel to Sacramento, Calif. on Friday for the Capitol Classic hosted by Sacramento State University where they will face Mercer, Iowa, Purdue, BYU and Iowa State.