April 26, 2009
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - After posting their first conference victory of the season on Saturday, the Santa Clara softball team could not extend their win streak, as they fell twice to University of San Diego. With the losses, SCU drops the season series to the Toreros. As per softball rules, USD were the designated home team on Sunday. After going into the seventh inning tied at two, San Diego scored the game-winning run to edge SCU 3-2. Santa Clara could not split the series in the final game as San Diego defeated the Broncos 5-0 to close out the four-game series.
In the early game, Santa Clara battled USD to the final play of the game. As the designated visiting team, they took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third off a solo home run from freshman Briana Knight. It was the Bronco outfielder's fifth homer of the season. Santa Clara's lead was short lived, as the Toreros responded with a lone run of their own.
Amanda Edmonson grounded out in the sixth inning to bring home Knight and score Santa Clara's second run to tie the game at two-all. San Diego tacked on a solo run in the bottom of the fifth. Heading into the seventh inning with the game tied, the Broncos looked to fight for their second straight win. Pitcher Kaitlyn Rauschnot, who threw the complete game with two strikeouts, had two outs on the board. With two outs on the board USD's Taylor Hensley came to the plate and singled to left field to score to the game-winning run.
After the heartbreaking loss, SCU could not rebound and were shutout 5-0 in the final game of the weekend.
Santa Clara (6-45, 1-15 PCSC) closes out 2009 this weekend with a four-game series versus Sacramento State from May 2-3.
