SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Kicking off the San Jose State Spartan Classic, Santa Clara softball lost to San Jose State by a final of 8-4. The Broncos are now 3-15 on the season while the Spartans are now 13-11.
Santa Clara returns to the field tomorrow, Sat., March 15 at 2 p.m. vs. Princeton at San Jose State.
Kimberly Goulart (0-1) started for Santa Clara and picked up a loss in 2.1 innings. Goulart allowed six runs on eight hits with a walk and a strikeout. Stephanie Fisher was 3-4 with two RBI, a double, and a run scored to lead the offense. Breezy Bernard was 3-3 with a double and an RBI while Kelly Scribner was 1-3 with an RBI.
Allison Lang (6-4) started for San Jose State and picked up a no-decision in 3.0 innings. Berlyn Rippentrop (1-1) got the win in 2.2 shutout innings out of the bullpen. Jessie Meyer was 2-4 with three RBI, a double, and a run scored to lead the offense. Devin Caldwell was 3-5 with two RBI and a run scored while Jessie Hufstetler was 2-2 with two walks and a run scored.
San Jose State jumped out to the early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Caldwell led off with a single to shortstop and stole second as the next batter got caught looking. Jessica Garcia doubled to left to bring in the run.
With one down in the bottom of the second Krista Jensen hit a sharp single up the middle and Bernard smoked an RBI double to left-center to tie the game. Bernard moved to third on a wild pitch but the Broncos couldn't get her home.
The Spartans loaded the bases with one out in the top of the third on a walk and two hits. Meyer hit one off Goulart's glove to knock in a run and put San Jose State back on top. Casey Watt brought in another run when she was hit by a pitch and Kryn Masutani followed with an RBI single that ended the day for Goulart. Ciara Gonzales gave up a two-RBI single just over the head of the second baseman on the first pitch she threw.
Gonzales led off the bottom of the third by reaching on an error and Fisher roped the first pitch she saw for an RBI double to left-center. Rochelle Rivera put runners on the corners with a beautiful bunt down the first base line. Scribner hit a sacrifice fly to center and Rivera moved up to second on the throw. The inning ended with the score 6-3 San Jose State.
San Jose State loaded the bases again with no outs in the top of the fourth. Meyer followed with a double down the right field line, just past the diving first baseman. The inning ended when Fisher gunned down a runner trying to score on a fly ball to left.
Bernard started things in the bottom of the fourth with a single to center and was pinch-run for by Amanda Delfino. After a foul out, Chiara Biagini singled to left and Gonzales walked to load the bases. Fisher singled in a run but Mosher was gunned down at home and the inning ended with the Broncos down 8-4.
Scribner led off the home half of the seventh with a single through the right side and was lifted for pinch-runner Taylor Bojorquez. After two swinging strikeouts, Bernard fouled out to the catcher to end the game.