Feb. 17, 2009
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University softball team will open up the 2009 season at No. 9 California on Wednesday, February 18. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Levine-Fricke Field in Berkeley, Calif. Do to inclement weather in the Bay Area, the game time is subject to change. All changes will be posted on www.SantaClaraBroncos.com once they are confirmed.
On Saturday, February 21, the Broncos will take on University of Pacific at 10 a.m. and CSU Bakersfield at 2 p.m. in Bakersfield, Calif. The following day, SCU will take on the Roadrunners of Bakersfield in a doubleheader. Game times are set for 10 a.m. and noon.
Last Time Out
The Broncos have yet to play a game this season, do to a rainstorm that hit Northern California this past week. SCU was scheduled to kick off the 2009 campaign on February 14, at the Santa Clara Invitational versus San Jose State and Sacramento State. Games will not be rescheduled for later this season.
Leading the Way
Senior captain Noelani Ho'opi'i looks to lead the Broncos this season, as she is the only senior on the roster this season. The 2008 All-PCSC Honorable Mention selection led SCU last season with a .292 batting average. The Kaneohe, Hawai'i native started and played in all 60 games last year and earned her third consecutive PCSC Commissioner's Honor Roll accolade. She tallied 45 hits, 21 runs, 20 RBI's, seven doubles and four home runs.
Mize Takes Charge
Lisa Mize was named head coach of the SCU softball team in July of 2008, after serving as interim head coach for the 2008 season, and as an assistant coach from 2005-2007. In her interim head coaching season, she coached sophomore Amanda Edmonson and senior Noelani Ho'opi'i to All-PCSC Honorable Mentions honors, and the team concluded the year with fifth-place conference finish. Eleven players saw success both on and off the field, and were PCSC Commissioner's Honor Roll recipients.
Transfer Smith Makes Immediate Impact
Junior transfer Megan Smith, who walked onto the team in the Fall of 2008, has made an immediate impact on the Bronco lineup since joining the team. The Salinas, Calif. native earned the starting second baseman job during the fall and has seen success at the plate too.
Along with four freshmen, Smith is one of the five student-athletes joining the team this season.
Scouting No. 9 California
No. 9 California, who is also ranked No. 10 in the NFCA top-25 poll, posts a 7-1 overall record. The Golden Bears enter this week's game after going, 3-1, at the Carolina Classic hosted at University of North Carolina. They collected wins over Wichita State, George Washington and Penn State, and fell to then No. 23 North Carolina. Earning all-tournament honors was senior Gina Leomiti, and freshmen twins Jamia and Elia Reid.
Elia Reid leads Berkeley at the plate with a .478 batting average in 23 at bats. She has 11 hits, 10 RBI's, a home run and a triple.
Scouting Pacific
The Tigers of University of Pacific, 1-4 overall, are led by junior Karie Wilson, who is hitting .400 in five straight starts. In 10 at bats, Wilson has four hits and one RBI. Second at the plate for UOP is sophomore Nicole Matson, who has seven hits, six RBI's, three runs and three doubles.
Pacific, who is set to take on Saint Mary's on February 19, before traveling south to Bakersfield, has dropped their last three games. On February 8, versus Purdue they dropped their game, 8-1, at the Stacey Winsberg Memorial Tournament. Four days later they fell to Sacramento State, 6-2, and 10-0, respectively at home.
Scouting CSU Bakersfield
CSU Bakersfield, 4-4, hosts the Broncos this weekend in their season home opener after going, 4-0, at the LMU Invitational this past weekend. They come into this weekend's action after defeating Illinois-Chicago, 10-3. They were able to solidify their undefeated weekend with a six-run fourth inning behind the bat of Jaimey Kliensmith.
The Roadrunners are led by junior outfielder Danielle Lyman, who in six starts has a .632 batting average. In 19 at bats, she has 12 hits, five RBI's, four runs, two home runs and a double. In their four losses, the fell by six run deficits or more, on the flipside, in their four wins, they have only defeated opponents by at least one run.
