SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Wrapping-up a short week, Santa Clara softball walked-off against Fresno State by a final of 1-0. The Broncos are now 7-26 on the season while the Bulldogs are now 24-16.
Santa Clara returns to the field Tues., April 22 at Stanford at 6 p.m.
"Today was classic softball," said Santa Clara head coach Lisa Mize. "Ciara threw a great game and we had great defense. Rochelle came off the bench to set us up and Fisher and Breezy moved her up before Geena came through with the big hit. It was a great way to win a game."
Ciara Gonzales (4-11) started for Santa Clara and picked the complete game shutout. Gonzales allowed three hits and one walk with three strikeouts. Geenamarie Bonilla was 1-3 with the walk off single to lead the offense. Rochelle Rivera was 1-1 with a run scored after she pinch-hit in the bottom of the seventh.
Hannah Harris (7-9) started for Fresno State and picked up a loss in 6.1 innings. Harris allowed one run on six hits with one strikeout. Whitney Smith, Pagie Gumz, and Kierra Willis each had one hit for the Bulldogs.
Fresno State had a scoring threat in the top of the second when Gumz and Willis hit back-to-back one-out singles up the middle. Two fielder's chocies ended the inning with the game still scoreless.
The Bulldogs got two runners on again in the top of the third. With two outs Smith singled to center and Vonnie Martin drew a walk. Gonzales got a fly ball to center to end the inning.
After a one-out single by Krista Jensen in the bottom of the third, the next 23 batters went down in order.
Rivera pinch-hit for Chiara Biagini to start the bottom of the seventh and singled to the shortstop. Stephanie Fisher bounced an infield single over the pitcher to put the winning run in scoring position. After a fly out to left, Breezy Bernard singled up the middle to load the bases. Bonilla stepped to the plate and singled into center field to give the Broncos the walk-off win.