SAN LOUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Santa Clara softball fell to Cal Poly by a final of 3-2 on a walk-off in the bottom of the seventh. The Broncos are now 3-14 on the season while the Mustangs are now 12-9.
Santa Clara returns to the field Fri., March 14 at 5 p.m. vs. San Jose State at home.
Kimberly Goulart (0-0) started for Santa Clara and picked up a no-decision in 4.1 innings. Ciara Gonzales (1-5) got the loss in 2.1 innings out of the bullpen. Gonzales allowed one run on two hits with a walk and a strikeout. Jordan Newell was 1-3 with two RBI to lead the offense. Rochelle Rivera was 1-3 with a double while Krista Jensen scored a run.
Sierra Hyland (9-3) started for Cal Poly and picked up a win in 7.0 innings. Hyland allowed two runs on three hits with one walk and 12 strikeouts. Kim Westlund was 2-3 with a run scored and an RBI to lead the offense. Emily Ceccacci was 2-4 with a run scored while Hyland added an RBI.
The Mustangs got off to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second after two quick outs. An error in left field allowed the inning to keep going and Westlund made the mistake hurt as she hit an RBI double down the left field line.
Cal Poly added another run in the bottom of the fifth. Westlund led off with a single to left and moved to second on a second bunt. A single up the middle put runners of the corners and a fielder's choice brought in the second run of the game.
Santa Clara rallied in the top of the seventh to tie the game. Kelly Scribner led off the inning with a single to left and was lifted for pinch-runner Sarah Mosher. A sac bunt moved the runner into scoring position and pinch-hitter Chiara Biagini was hit by a pitch. Breezy Bernard grounded out for the second out of the innings but moved both base runners into scoring position. Newell came through with a two-RBI single up the middle to make the score 2-2.
Ceccacci singled to center with one out in the bottom of the seventh and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Hyland was intentionally walked and an infield single loaded the bases. Mariah Cochiolo was hit by a pitch to bring in the game-winning run.