SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Santa Clara softball split a doubleheader on the opening day of the Cal Poly Mustang Classic. The Broncos lost the opening game 6-2 to Sacramento State before coming back with a 6-0 win vs. Fairleigh Dickinson in the nightcap. Santa Clara is now 2-12 on the season.
The Broncos return to the field tomorrow, Sat., March 8 at 9 a.m. vs. Stony Brook and again at 11:30 am vs. Fairleigh Dickinson.
Game 1
Ciara Gonzalez (0-3) made the start for Santa Clara and got the loss in 4.0 plus innings of work. Gonzales allowed six runs, two earned, on eight hits. Geenamarie Bonilla led the offense with a double and two RBI. Kelly Scribner and Krista Jensen each added one hit apiece.
Taylor Stroud (3-2) got the win in the complete game for Sacramento State. Stroud allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Yesenia Alcala was 1-2 with two RBI and a run scored to lead the offense. Shelby Johnson was 2-4 with a RBI and a run scored while Paige Martin was 2-2 with a run scored.
The Hornets scored five times in the bottom of the second to take the lead. After the first out was retired Paige Martin singled up the middles and moved up to third on a ground out. Alacala doubled down the line to bring in the first run of the inning. After an error allowed another run to come in, Alexis Chattleton doubled to center and came in to score on a single up the middle by Johnson. Another error allowed the fifth run to score before Santa Clara got out of the inning.
Breezy Bernard reached on a throwing error with one out in the top of the fourth and was lifted for pinch-runner Sarah Mosher. Jensen drew a walk and Bonilla followed with a two-RBI double.
Sacramento State would add another run in the bottom of the fifth and hold on for the win.
Game 2
Jessica Turner (1-6) started for the Broncos and got the win in 5.2 shutout innings. Turner allowed just three hits with one strikeout. Gonzales picked up the save with 1.1 perfect innings of relief. Jordan Newell was 2-3 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored to lead the offense. Chiara Biagini was 1-1 with two RBI while Stephanie Fisher was 1-2 with a homerun, two RBI and a run scored.
Loren Stavrou (0-2) got the loss for the Knights in 6.1 innings of work. Stavrou allowed four runs on five hits with two walks. Alex Portest led the offense while going 2-3. Angelique Nieves picked up the only other hit for Fairleigh Dickinson.
With the game scoreless in the top of the fifth, Newell blasted a one-out home run to left center to put the Broncos on top 1-0.
Still up 1-0 in the top of the seventh, Santa Clara exploded for five runs to make the score 6-0. Bonilla led off with a single to short and moved to third on a one-out single by Bernard. Newell followed with an RBI single and both runners moved up on a wild pitch. Biagini singled up the middle to knock in two runs and Fisher followed with a homer to center field.
Gonzales was able to get the Knights in order in the bottom of the seventh to seal the Santa Clara win.