Feb. 26, 2009

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara softball team will travel to Southern California this weekend to participate in the San Diego Classic I in San Diego, Calif. The Broncos, 1-5 overall, will take on four opponents at the three day tournament from Friday, Feb. 27 to Sunday, Mar. 1. On Feb. 27, SCU will open up the weekend with Utah at 2 p.m. On Feb. 28, the Broncos will take on Colorado State at 9 a.m. and Missouri at 2 p.m., and close out play on Mar. 1 against tournament hosts San Diego State at 4:30 p.m.

"We are improving as a team overall," said head coach Lisa Mize. "We know what we need to work on and hopefully we can see good results in San Diego this weekend."

Last Time Out
The Broncos enter this weekend after falling, 4-1, to UC Davis on Wednesday, Feb. 25. After five scoreless innings, Briana Knight hit a double to score Nicole Picard, who was on first base. The Broncos' lone run of the day was the freshman outfielder's seventh career RBI. In the bottom half of the sixth inning, Davis, 8-3 overall, responded with four runs to prevent SCU from earning their second win of the season. Jenna Fong pitched five solid scoreless innings in the game, leaving five players on base and allowing only four hits. Her best inning came in the third, when all three batters hit into ground outs. In the bottom of the sixth, Fong had two outs and two runners on base, when the SCU lost control of the game. The Aggies' Kelly Harmon singled to right center to score Sarah Axelson and tie the game at one-all. Davis' next batter then singled to right field bringing home what would be the game-winning run, in a two RBI hit. Closing out UCD's four-run inning, was Jessica Gonzalez, who singled to center. Holmes scored an unearned run off a Bronco throwing error.

Knight's On a Roll
Freshman Briana Knight began her Bronco softball career six games ago and the SCU outfielder already is making her mark in the Santa Clara lineup. Knight leads the team with seven RBIs, a .882 slugging percentage, three doubles and two home runs. The Bronco outfielder, who has hit back-to-back RBIs in the last two games, has started in all six contests this season and is hitting a .353 batting average. This week Knight was recognized as a Top Performer in the PCSC.

In the PCSC
With one week of play concluded in the 2009 season, the Broncos currently are in fourth place in the PCSC. They are ahead of San Diego (1-9 overall) and Saint Mary's (1-9 overall), who are in fifth and sixth place, respectively.

All-Around Asset
Sophomore Jenna Fong has proven to be an all-around asset for the Broncos. Fong, who did not pitch in her first season at SCU, has become a primary pick of head coach Lisa Mize's on the mound. While she has yet to see a win in 16.2 innings, the Sacramento, Calif. native has thrown three strikeouts and one complete game on the defensive end of the ball. At bat, she is hitting .400 in 10 at bats, for second best on the team. She's tallied four hits, two runs and double this season.

On the Road Again
The Broncos will remain on the road this week at the San Diego Classic I. Santa Clara, who has played their first six contests on the road, will not come home until Wednesday, Mar. 11, when they host Northern Illinois in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.

Passafuime Throws Second Career Win
Junior pitcher Lauren Passafuime earned her second career win versus CSU Bakersfield on February 22. The Soquel, Calif. native, who was recognized by the PCSC this week as a Top Performer, is 1-1 this season. In 5.2 innings pitched, she has three strikeouts and is tied for fifth in wins in the conference.

Scouting Utah
After falling in their last five straight games, the Utah Utes travel to San Diego with a 6-8 overall record. In 15 games started, Kara Foster posts 15 hits, 14 runs, 10 RBIs, six home runs and two doubles in 44 at bats this season to lead Utah. On the mound, Ashley Smuda is 6-1 in 32.0 innings pitched. Smuda has an ERA of 4.57 and 20 strikeouts in seven appearances.

Scouting Colorado State
The Buffalos of Colorado State head to San Diego for the second straight weekend with a 9-6 overall record. CSU, who won five of their last six games at the University of San Diego Tournament, is led by infielder Caitlan Stem. In 15 starts, Stem has 23 hits, nine RBIs, three doubles and a home run. She is hitting .434 this season. In the circle, pitcher Kelli Eubanks posts a 4-1 record. With a 2.76 ERA, Eubanks tallied 27 strikeouts and two shutouts in eight appearances.

Scouting Missouri
Missouri travels to the West Coast with an undefeated 10-0 overall record. In 18 at bats, Gina Schneider leads the Tigers with 13 hits and a .722 batting average. Schneider has 10 runs, seven RBIs and three doubles in nine games played this season. On the mound, UM has split time between four pitchers. Jana Hainey, 2-0, has a 0.44 ERA in 16.9 innings pitched. She has 12 strikeouts this season.

Scouting San Diego State
San Diego State enters this weekend with a 6-8 overall record. The Aztecs have lost the last six of their eight games this season and are coming off a, 1-0, win over University of San Diego. SDSU is led by Erin Floros, who entering their contest versus USD, led the team with a .375 batting average. In 24 at bats, Floros posts nine hits, eight RBIs, two runs, one double and one home run. Prior to Wednesday's USD game, pitcher Samantha Beasly had a 2.92 ERA in 48.0 innings pitched.

For all information and scores from this weekend, log onto: San Diego Classic I Tournament Central.