April 3, 2007
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara softball team dropped a pair of 7-0 decisions to the University of Hawaii at Marsalli Park on Tuesday, in what was their final tune up before beginning conference play Friday against St. Mary's in Moraga, Calif.
In game one, Santa Clara was held to just three hits as Hawaii pitcher Justine Smethurst set a record with 13 strikeouts. After sneaking runs in the second and third innings to take a 2-0 lead, the Rainbow Wahine rallied for three runs in the fourth before adding two more for insurance in the top of the seventh. Junior Jackie Morales took the loss for the Broncos.
In game two, the Broncos were held to just five hits, while the Rainbow Wahine posted double-digit hits for the second time. Kaitlyn Rauschnot pitched her first career complete game, but a two-run home run in the third inning put the Broncos in a hole. In the sixth inning, a string of four hits equaled a big inning for the Rainbow Wahine in which they added three more runs, and then in the seventh inning, two more insurance runs, including a solo home run, sealed the victory.
The Broncos will begin conference play Friday, April 6 with a doubleheader against St. Mary's in Moraga, Calif.