SANTA CLARA, Calif. – In the conference opener, Santa Clara softball lost to LMU by a final of 2-0. The Broncos are now 10-24 overall and 0-1 in WCC play while the Lions are now 19-21 and 1-0 in conference action.
Santa Clara returns to the field tomorrow, Fri., April 3 at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. for a double header vs. LMU.
Ciara Gonzales (8-11) started for Santa Clara and picked up a loss in the complete game. Gonzales allowed two unearned runs on six hits with three strikeouts. Ellie Fisher was 2-3 with a stolen base to lead the offense. Chiara Biagini was 1-2 with an outfield assist and was hit by a pitch while Jordan Newell was 1-3 with a double.
Rachael Farrington (14-10) started for LMU and picked up a win in the complete game. Farrington allowed six hits with two strikeouts. Alicia Brown was 3-3 with a double and a run scored to lead the offense. Stephanie Crist was 2-3 with a double and a run scored while Stephanie Maciel was 1-3 with a double.
With one down in the bottom of the third Fisher laid down a bunt for a single. She swiped second but was stranded to keep it a scoreless game.
Maciel led off the fourth with a sharp double just inside the first base bag. She tried to advance on a fly to left but Biagini gunned her down for the double play. A double and a single put runners on the corners with two down for the Lions. Caitlin Harman hit a fly to right that was dropped for a three-base error and two runs came in.
Biagini started the home half of the fifth with a single to right. Jenna Krummen hit a soft liner back to the pitcher that turned into a double play when Biagini wandered too far off first.
Fisher got the bottom of the sixth started with a single to left. She would advance to second on a sacrifice bunt by Casandra Padilla but would be stranded with the Broncos still down 2-0.
Newell led off the bottom of the seventh with a double to right center. After a groundout Biagini was hit by a pitch and lifted for pinch runner Amanda Delfino. A comebacker to the pitcher ended the game.