April 28, 2010
BERKELEY, Calif. - The Santa Clara softball team suffered an 8-0 road loss today to No. 13 California in six innings in the Broncos second-to-last game this season against a non-conference opponent.
The Broncos were held to just three hits, one given up by the Golden Bears' ace in the circle Valeria Arioto and two by Jolene Henderson.
The three hits were spread out between three different Santa Clara players, with freshman Jamie Wallis, senior Emily Batt, and sophomore Kristin Welsh each tallying. Batt's hit was her fourth double of the year.
Cal took a commanding 6-0 lead by the second inning, led by pitcher Arioto's solo home run in the first and Lindsey Ziegenhirt's two-run blast in the second. The Bears scored their last two runs later in the game, one in the fourth inning and one in the sixth.
Freshman Riley McKay started the game and pitched two innings before being relieved by fellow rookie Ali Nash. All eight runs were earned runs as neither team committed an error in the game.
The Broncos return to the field tomorrow at 3 p.m., finishing up their PCSC series with Sacramento State in the California capitol city with one final game that was postponed due to bad weather on April 11.
Santa Clara will also host Saint Mary's this weekend at West Valley College. The two doubleheaders, beginning on Saturday and Sunday at noon, will be the final home games for the Broncos this season and will serve as senior weekend for the team's four outgoing seniors.