Orem, Utah – Santa Clara Softball hit the road one last time for PCSC games, facing Utah Valley in a four-game set. The Wolverines swept the series with scores of 9-1, 3-1, 5-0 and 4-1.
Santa Clara (6-43 overall, 3-17 PCSC) returns to the Mission Campus for its final PCSC series on May 4-5, facing San Diego in a four-game set. First pitch for both doubleheaders is set for 12 p.m.
Game One
Utah Valley leadoff hitter Ashley Robinson opened the bottom half of the first launching a solo shot over the wall. The Wolverines went on to knock in seven runs on eight hits to open the game with a 7-0 lead.
Santa Clara answered in the third. Jamie Wallis doubled, and Stephanie Fisher plated her with a double of her own, cutting the Wolverines lead to 7-1.
The Wolverines tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the fourth, taking the 9-1 lead and ending the game due to run rule.
Broncos freshman starter Ciara Gonzales allowed 13 hits and nine runs in four innings or work.
In the circle for the Wolverines, Tiffany Mills allowed just one run on three hits.
Game Two
Santa Clara rallied in the seventh inning but fell short, losing 3-1. In the top of the seventh, catcher Breezy Bernard put herself in scoring position with a one-out double. Sarah Mosher came on to pitch run, and freshman Chiara Biagini knocked her in with a double to center field.
Santa Clara and Utah Valley remained knotted at 0-0 apiece until the Wolverines broke open the scoring in the bottom of the fifth, driving in two runs. Robinson was again the leader of the Wolverine attack, notching a single to score Morgan Summers, and scoring on a passed ball with Kelli Fox at the plate.
Santa Clara senior outfielder Jamie Wallis recorded a hit in both games on day one – the only Bronco to do so.
Utah Valley added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. Kylee Brinkerhoff reached on a fielding error, and was knocked in by Jamie North.
Briana Rios started for Santa Clara, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing six hits and three runs. Jessica Turner came on in relief in the sixth inning, allowing one hit.
Game Three
Utah Valley jumped out to a five run lead in the bottom of the second on five hits. For the third time in as many games, Robinson was the ringleader for the Wolverines. She drew a walk with the bases loaded, scoring Charlee Cisneros. Fox followed, reaching first on a fielder's choice and advancing to second on the throw, scoring Summers and Marie Williams. Up 3-0, Utah Valley saw Krystin Jachim single to right center, scoring Robinson and Fox.
Carissa Theis started for Santa Clara, allowing five runs on five hits in 1.1 innings. Gonzales entered in the second, finishing the game for the Broncos. She allowed just one hit in 4.2 innings of work.
Facing the Broncos for a second time, Wolverines starter Tiffany Mills pitched the duration of the game, allowing three hits and striking out five.
Game Four
Santa Clara struck first in the finalee, seeing Wallis lead off with a single to left center. Freshman shortstop Casandra Padilla, making her second apparence of the weekend, laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Wallis to second. Fisher followed with a walk, and both runners moved up a base on a wild pitch. Kelly Scribner was safe on a fielder's choice, but Wallis was thrown out attempting for home. Biagini then knocked in Fisher with a single to left field, giving the Broncos their first lead of the weekend, up 1-0.
The lead wouldn't last long, as Utah Valley loaded the bases in the bottom of the second with one out, and Summers singled to left field, plating North and tying the game at 1-1. Fox followed with a single of her own, scoring Cisneros, but Broncos pitcher Rios was able to force two outs to escape any further damage.
Utah Valley wasn't done yet; the Wolverines added two more runs in the bottom of the third to take a 4-1 lead that would stand for the game.
Rios lasted the game for Santa Clara, allowing four runs on eight hits.
Wolverines starter Josi Summers allowed four hits and one run while striking out three.
