SANTA CLARA, Calif. –Santa Clara softball topped Sacramento State by a final of 4-3 in eight innings and lost to Fresno State 2-1 on Saturday. The Broncos are now 2-8.
Santa Clara returns to the field tomorrow, Sat., Feb. 15 at 11:15 vs. UC Davis.
Game 1
Brianna Rios started for Santa Clara and picked up a no-decision in 5.0 innings. Rios allowed five hits and one walk with three strikeouts. Ciara Gonzales (2-3) through two perfect innings to pick up the win. Jordan Newell was 2-3 with a double and an RBI to lead the offense. Breezy Bernard and Gianetta France each added an RBI.
Kaitlyn Yerby started for Sacramento State and picked up a no-decision in 4.2 innings. Yerby allowed three runs on nine hits with two walks and strikeout. C Matthias (1-1) got the loss in three innings out of the bullpen. Paris Prado was 2-4 with a home run and a double to lead the offense.
Alexa Chattleton singled up the middle to start the game and advanced to second on a sac bunt. A single through the left side with two down put the Hornets on top 1-0.
The Broncos answered in the bottom of the first to even the score at 1-1. Casandra Padilla doubled to right with one down and Bernard followed with an RBI single up the middle.
Sac State answered in the bottom of the second. Sasha Margulies walked on four pitches to start the inning and Prado homered to make the score 3-1. Cassidy Martin followed with a single down the right field line and Rios was lifted for Micaela Vierra. Vierra got a double play and a ground out to end the inning.
Santa Clara tied the game in the bottom of the fifth with two runs. Amanda Delfino led off with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a groundout. Padilla walked to put two on but Bernard hit into a fielder's choice for the second out. France and Chiara Biagini hit back-to-back RBI singles to make the score 3-3.
Geenamarie Bonilla was placed on second to start the bottom of the eighth for Santa Clara. She moved up to third on a passed ball to put the winning run on third with no one out. After a groundout, Newell hit a game-winning sacrifice fly to center.
Game 2
McCall James (0-2) started for Santa Clara and picked up a loss in 6.0 innings. James allowed two runs on five hits with a walk and five strikeouts. Kimberly Goulart was 1-2 with a solo home run to lead the offense. Breezy Bernard added a pair of hits.
Jill Compton (4-2) started for Fresno State and picked up a win in the complete game. Compton allowed one run on eight hits with nine strikeouts. Kierra Willis was 2-3 with a home run and two RBI to lead the offense. Three other Bulldogs each collected two hits.
With the game still scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, Paige Gumz singled to right with one down for Fresno State. After Christina Rodriguez entered as a pinch runner, Willis homered to give the Bulldogs the lead 2-0.
Goulart hit a solo homer with one out in the top of the seventh to get the Broncos a run closer at 2-1. Delfino singled up the middle and with two down Padilla was hit by a pitch to put the tying run in scoring position. Bernard was caught looking to end the game.
