2013 Santa Clara University Bronco Classic
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Santa Clara University softball program will be hosting its annual Bronco Classic this weekend – the first time the event will take place primarily on SCU's Mission campus now that the Broncos have their very-own SCU Softball Field. In all, six teams will be playing 13 games, which includes San Jose State hosting a pair of games on both Friday and Saturday.
The Broncos (0-6; 0-0 PCSC) have struggled to get the bats going early in the 2013 campaign thus far and will be looking for their first win this weekend. SCU is hitting .208 as a team (30 for 144) with just two extra-base hits. The Broncos have pushed in four runs in six games.
Junior OF Stephanie Fisher (.438 BA) and classmate OF Rochelle Rivera (.368 BA) are leading the Broncos with seven hits. Fisher has both of the team's extra-base hits and also leads the Broncos in total bases (11).
"Well first off, we're reviewing film as a team to see what areas we need to clean up and also to review our at-bats," said Santa Clara head coach Lisa Mize when asked about preparing for the upcoming games. "I didn't see a lot of quality at bats this past weekend so hitting is a big focus for us this week. We will be doing a fair amount of infield work this week as well, as I know we can improve there."
SCU dropped four games last week, first losing to No. 20 Stanford 8-0 in a mid-week game at the Cardinal's Smith Family Field. Over the weekend, SCU hung tough with both Cal State Northridge and UC Davis through four innings, but ended up losing all three of those games.
"The team chemistry, by far, has been a real positive for me and this squad," Mize said when asked about what she has liked about her 2013 team thus far. "We recognize that we are primarily a young team and need to grow and make our adjustments quickly. I am confident that will come once we work all the kinks out and get some consistency; hoping we will see that in this weekend's play."
LIVE COVERAGE
Live play-by-play scoring will be provided for all games hosted at the SCU Softball Field via StatBroadcast on SantaClaraBroncos.com. CLICK HERE to access the live coverage.
TICKET ANNOUNCEMENT
Ticket prices this weekend's tournament are set on a PER DAY basis - $10 for adults, $5 for youth/seniors. Tickets purchased at SJSU Field will be honored the same day at the SCU Softball Field and vice versa.
Monday's single-game with St. John's will be ticketed at $5 for adults and $2 for youth/seniors. FREE admission to all SCU softball games are offered to Ruff Riders and SCU faculty and staff with a valid University access card. Fans can purchase tickets online or by calling the SCU Ticket Office directly. Only cash or checks will be accepted at the gates, which will open one hour prior to each day's first game. To contact the ticket office, please call (408) 554-4660 or email BroncoTickets@scu.edu.
PARKING/CONCESSIONS
Free parking will be available adjacent to the SCU Softball Field, in the main Leavey Center Parking Lot. Additional free parking can be accessed at main campus parking structure and on El Camino Real, which runs parallel with, and is just beyond, the right field fence. No outside food will be allowed inside the main gates of the SCU Softball Field, however concessions will be available for purchase.
CAPACITY CROWD WATCHES FIRST-EVER GAMES AT SCU
A new era began for Santa Clara University's softball program on Saturday, Feb. 9 with 'Opening Day' 2013 being held at the team's brand-new on-campus facility, the SCU Softball Field.
"It's a great day for Santa Clara, and particularly this Bronco softball program," said Santa Clara's Director of Athletics and Recreation Dan Coonan, who said a few words to the sell-out crowd prior to the ceremonial first pitch. "This field has been a long time in the making. We are so appreciative of the University's efforts to make this happen. It will be a well-deserved home for this team for years to come."
"I think today's atmosphere was fantastic," said fifth-year SCU head softball coach Lisa Mize after the Opening Day doubleheader with Pacific back on Feb. 9. "To have this many people out here on Opening Day to support, not just us, but softball in general, was awesome."
WCC TO SPONSOR SOFTBALL IN 2014
Recent approval of softball as the West Coast Conference's 14th sponsored sport will have Santa Clara competing in the WCC beginning in 2014, with the WCC champion receiving an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. This spring, Santa Clara will be playing its final season within a realigned Pacific Coast Softball Conference (PCSC).
DUGOUT CLUB
Santa Clara's softball team is proud to announce its newly formed Dugout Club. The goal of the Dugout Club is to bring together supporters of the program. Alumni, current parents, and alumni parents, friends of the program, community partners, and organizations are all encouraged to join. The Dugout Club gifts go directly to the softball program's operating budget and will be used to help fund team travel, equipment purchases, new uniforms and costs associated with recruiting.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets at the newly-built SCU Softball Field can be purchased for just $50 ($20 for youth and seniors). To purchase tickets online visit the Bronco Ticket Zone. For complete season and single-game ticket pricing for SCU softball click here. Fans can also call the ticket office directly at (408) 554-4660 to buy tickets or for additional information.
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!
