SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara softball swept a double-header at LMU by finals of 8-3 and 7-5 in eight innings. The Broncos are now 9-31 overall and 4-7 in WCC play while the Lions are 20-26 overall and 1-12 in conference play.
Santa Clara returns to the field tomorrow, Sun., May 4 at 12 p.m. in the series finale.
Game 1
Ciara Gonzales (5-16) started for Santa Clara and picked up a win in 7.0 innings. Gonzales allowed three runs, two earned, on seven hits with a walk and a strikeout. Kelly Scribner was 3-4 with two RBI, two runs scored, a double, and a home run to lead the offense. Geenamarie Bonilla was 2-4 with two RBI and a run scored while Stephanie Fisher was 2-4 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI.
Rachael Farrington (6-11) started for LMU and picked up a loss in 4.0 innings. Farrington allowed seven run, six earned, on 12 hits with a strikeout. Sterling Shuster was 1-3 with a two-run homerun to lead the offense. Meghan Harman was 2-3 with a double, a walk, and a run scored while Ale Finie was 1-3 with an RBI and a double.
Santa Clara jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first. Breezy Bernard singled to right center with one out and Fisher followed with a single through the right side. Back-to-back RBI singles by Scribner and Bonilla followed to put the Broncos on top.
Scribner got the offense going with a one-out double in the top of the third to start a three-run inning. Bonilla followed with a single up the middle to bring in Scribner. Gianetta France singled to the pitcher to put runners on the corners with two down. Jenna Krummen and Cassandra Padilla knocked back-to-back RBI singles to make it 5-0 Broncos.
Breeana Sandoval singled with one out in the bottom of the fourth and Shuster followed with a two-run blast to make it 5-2.
The Broncos used a two-out rally in the sixth to add three more runs. Bernard walked and Fisher followed with a double down the right field line. Scribner came up with a three-run shot to left to make the Santa Clara lead 8-2.
The Lions added a run in the bottom of the sixth but the first two batters went down in the seventh. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for LMU but Gonzales got Stephanie Crist to ground into a fielder's choice and give Santa Clara the win.
Game 2
Brianna Rios (1-5) started for Santa Clara and picked up a no-decision in 1.0 inning. Jessica Turner (3-9) allowed three runs on eight hits with a walk and two strikeouts in 6.0 innings out of the bullpen to pick up the win. Gonzales picked up her first save of the season with a scoreless eighth. Krummen was 3-3 with a triple, a home run, three RBI, and three runs scored to lead the offense. Scribner was 4-4 with a solo home run while Krista Jensen was 1-1 with a pinch-hit two-RBI double
Crist (1-12) started for LMU and picked up a loss in 8.0 innings. Crist allowed seven runs on 13 hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Crist was 2-4 with a home run and three RBI to lead the offense. Maciel was 2-4 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored while Von Behren was 2-4 with a triple and an RBI.
The Lions loaded the bases with none out in the bottom of the first. An error let the first run come across and a sac fly made it a quick 2-0 LMU lead.
Krummen launched a two-run homer on a 3-1 pitch in the top of the second to tie the game
Jordan Newell and Krummen drew back-to-back one-out walks in the top of the sixth and pinch-hitter Jensen came up with a two-RBI double to left center to put the Broncos on top for the first time 4-2.
A lead-off single by Amanda Dirks turned into a run when Meghan Von Behren hit a one-out triple to get the Lions within a run.
Scribner hit her second home run of the day with one out in the seventh to add an insurance run for Santa Clara and make it 5-3.
Turner got the first two outs of the seventh but Stephanie Maciel kept the game alive with a double to right. Crist tied the game with a two-run home run to center and extra innings followed.
Newell got the eighth started with an infield single and Krummen tripled to right center. An error on Krummen's triple allowed her to score and give Santa Clara a 7-5 lead.
Gonzales came in to pitch the bottom of the eight for Santa Clara and allowed one-out single but got her first save of the season.