April 29, 2007
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Santa Clara softball team had a difficult start to Sunday's series against Portland State, giving up ten runs in the first two innings enroute to a 14-2 loss.
After Portland State's leadoff hitter reached on an error, Jerrica Castagno gave up a two run home run to give the Vikings an early 2-0 lead. Two walks and then a base hit scored a third run and Portland State had a 3-0 first inning lead.
In the second inning, six hits and two errors led to seven Portland State runs. After giving up a leadoff double, and then consecutive singles and another double, Castagno was replaced by freshman Lauren Passafuime with the score 6-0.
But the very first batter Passafuime faced reached on an error, allowing a seventh run to score and further prolonging the inning. Portland State tallied three more runs in the inning to take a 10-0 lead after two innings.
In the top of the third, the Vikings would make it 12-0 after a couple more singles and a fourth error.
In the bottom of the third, the Broncos would get on the board after getting three straight singles with two outs by Nori Kamada, Meghan Chavez and Angela Kabanuck.
In the fourth inning, Passafuime was replaced by Kaitlyn Rauschnot, and Rauschnot was up to the challenge, retiring the Vikings in order and giving the Broncos offense another chance.
In the bottom of the fourth, Santa Clara came close to scoring. With one out and a runner on first, a walk and a hit batsman loaded the bases. Two consecutive fielders choices resulted in outs at home plate and the Broncos scoring threat was gone.
In the fifth, the Vikings would extend their lead to 14-2 after a hit batsman and two consecutive doubles. The Broncos managed just a walk in the bottom of the inning, and the game ended 14-2 after five.
