Scouting Sacramento State (5-5)
Date: Saturday - Sunday, March 2-3; Doubleheader on Saturday at 11 a.m., single game on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Location: SCU Softball Field - Santa Clara, Calif.
Coverage: Live Stats
Series Record: Hornets Lead, 54-20
Streak: Sacramento State has won 21 straight meetings
Last Meeting: W, 7-4, in Sacramento (4/7/12)
Santa Clara hosts a three-game series with Sacramento State this weekend, starting with a doubleheader Saturday, March 2, with the first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m. The two teams will return to the field Sun., March 3 for the final game of the series at 11 a.m.
The Broncos (2-9 overall, 0-0 PCSC) are looking to continue their recent momentum, coming off a 3-2 win over St. John's (N.Y.). Freshman starter Ciara Gonzales worked effectively into the sixth inning and Stephanie Fisher and Jordan Newell each tripled as part of a three-run Santa Clara fifth, leading the Broncos to a comeback win on Feb. 25 at the SCU Softball Field.
The Broncos are coming into the weekend batting a combined .231 percent. They are led by junior Stephanie Fisher (.500 BA) as she is leading the team with 14 hits. Rochelle Rivera (.343 BA) is second on the team in hits with 12.
Sacramento State (5-5) split its most recent series with UC Davis, 1-1.
The Hornets took the first game 5-4, with Yesenia Alcala scoring off a sacrifice bunt from freshman Alyssa Vanderdrink. The Aggies won the second game, 4-1, in a game that was shortened to five innings due to darkness.
Hornets' sophomore right-hander Caitlin Brooks was named the Big Sky Conference's Pitcher of the Week each of the first two weeks of the season. The Escalon, Calif., native is 4-1 with a 1.71 ERA and has allowed just 29 hits and 10 earned runs in 41.0 innings.
QUOTABLE
"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.
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 AD 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!
