SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Santa Clara University softball team is playing its home-opener today, Tuesday, February 21, at 4 p.m. against UC Davis. The game will be held at PAL Stadium in San Jose, 680 S. 34th St., San Jose, CA, 95116.

UC Davis (3-8; 0-0 Big West) @ Santa Clara (1-9; 0-0 PCSC)
Tuesday, February 21 - 4 p.m.
PAL Stadium (San Jose, Calif.)
Live Stats

The Broncos, and fourth-year head coach Lisa Mize, have added eight new freshman players and a pair of accomplished junior transfers to its 2012 roster. After picking up a rivalry win over St. Mary's during the team's season-opening swing to Texas and New Mexico, Santa Clara has suffered eight-straight losses.

SCU will try and snap that streak this afternoon against the Aggies. UC Davis went 22-28 last season, which included a 9-1 home win over Santa Clara in late March of 2011. The Aggies upset No. 8 Stanford on Feb. 15 behind the pitching of Jessica Thweatt (2-4; 3.67 ERA) and is also getting quality innings from Justine Vela (1-3; 4.05 ERA).

Mize and her Bronco team counters with some talented offensive players, including senior OF Briana Knight (.310 BA), a two-time All-Pacific Coast Conference player. Sophomore OF Stephanie Fisher (.407 BA) is off to a great start, leading the team in both hits (11) and runs (8). OF Jamie Wallis (.360 BA), 1B Kelly Scribner (.318 BA) and INF Alyssa Jepsen (.286 BA) have all been productive through the first 10 games.

"I think the offensive potential is there; the lineup has an opportunity to be very powerful," said Mize in a recent interview. "We need to improve on capitalizing on our opportunities, scoring with runners on base and being a little more aggressive at the plate as a team."

The x-factor for Santa Clara this season, much like any team, will be its pitching. Through 10 games, the Broncos have a collective ERA of 11.36 and have allowed 96 hits in 54.2 innings.

"Our pitchers need to keep us in the ball game, get ahead in the counts and minimize the walks," says Mize. "Offensively we need to attack early and stay aggressive start to finish. From a mental game stand point we need to be confident and tough for 7 innings."

For the very latest on Santa Clara softball, follow the team's official Twitter page (@SCUSoftball) and the Bronco softball Facebook page for updates and information throughout the year.