April 9, 2009
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - After playing their last 18 games on the road, the Santa Clara softball team returns home to host Loyola Marymount in their conference home opener. The Broncos will play the Lions in a four-game series this weekend. On Friday, April 10, SCU will kick off the PCSC home half of their schedule with a doubleheader versus LMU. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. The following day Santa Clara returns to the field for a doubleheader beginning at noon. The Broncos (5-31, 0-4 PCSC), who haven't played at their new home field, the West Valley College Softball Field, since March 11, look to bounce back into the win column this weekend at home. SCU is 2-0 this season while playing at home.
Last Time Out
Santa Clara kicked off Pacific Coast Softball Conference play at Portland State in a weekend series. The Broncos conceded the series to the Vikings, falling in all four games played. On Saturday, April 4, they fell 8-0 and 9-2, and on Sunday, April 5, they dropped an 11-6 and 8-2 decision to PSU. Freshman Kristin Welsh, a PCSC Top Performer for the week of April 6, lead the SCU offense on the weekend. The La Habra, Calif. native led SCU with a .313 batting average, and went 5-for-16 with six RBIs, two walks, a double and a stolen base. Her on base percentage was .450 and slugging percentage was a team-leading .375. Welsh, who has been the Broncos' starting shortstop this season, has played in 29 games and started 27.
Finally! The Broncos Return to Play at Home
With only two home games under their belt and their last 18 contests played on the road, SCU returns to their new home field, the West Valley College Softball Field (WVCSF), for their PCSC home opener. Santa Clara, who has played an astonishing 34 of their 36 games this season away from the comforts of home, is a perfect 2-0 when playing at WVCSF.
West Valley College Softball Field
Fans please note the Broncos will call West Valley College Softball Field their home for the 2009 season. For information and directions please go here. There will be a $2 charge for parking and a $5 gate fee for both games of the doubleheader. A game day program will be included with all tickets for admissions.
Follow the Game
All Santa Clara home games will be available for fans on www.SantaClaraBroncos.com. Fans if you cannot make it to the park to watch your Broncos take the field, you will be able to follow all SCU softball action live on GameTracker.
Welsh Leads SCU in PCSC Opener
Freshman shortstop Kristin Welsh opened up PCSC play with a team-leading performance at Portland State from April 4-5. Welsh went 5-for-16, and tallied six RBIs, two walks, a double and a stolen base. She hit a .375 batting average, combined with a .450 on base percentage and a .375 slugging percentage.
Scouting Loyola Marymount
The Loyola Marymount Lions (17-21, 3-1 PCSC) head to Northern California in second place in the PCSC. LMU, who has won six of their last eight games, went 3-1 in their conference home opener versus Saint Mary's. The Lions are led by Sam Fischer, who in 38 straight starts, is 43-for-122 with 27 runs, 18 RBIs, nine home runs, eight doubles and one triple this season. Loyola Marymount's four-player pitching rotation is led by Corie Goodman. She's tallied a 3.38 ERA and a team-leading 9-10 record. In 114.0 innings pitched, she's thrown 66 strikeouts, nine complete games, one shutout and a save. Goodman has allowed 141 hits, 77 runs, thrown 37 walks and batters are hitting .301 off her.
