DAVIS, Calif. – Kicking off the 2016 season, Santa Clara softball split at the Aggie Invitational on Saturday. The Broncos (1-1) took down Sacramento State (0-1) 1-0 in the opener but fell to Montana (2-2) 6-5 in eight innings in the second game of the day.

Game 1
The lone run of game one came in the bottom of the fifth on a nearly spectacular play. With two down and Bojorquez standing on first, pinch-hitter France hit a ball to center. The centerfielder made a diving effort but the ball came out of the glove for an RBI double.

Santa Clara got the first career complete game and shutout from Micaela Vierra (1-0). Vierra allowed just five hits and struck out two while walking one.

Gianetta France drove in the only run of the game and Taylor Bojorquez crossed the plate.

Natalie Alas led the Sacramento State offense with two hits.

Kaitlyn Yerby (0-1) allowed just three hits and one run with two punch-outs and a walk.

Game 2
The second game was a back-and-forth affair. The Broncos jumped out to an early lead but gave it away only to come back and tie the score in the seventh before finally falling in eight innings on an illegal pitch.

Down 5-3 in the top of the seventh, Geenamarie Bonilla singled back to the pitcher to start the inning. After pinch runner Amanda Delfino moved to third on two passed balls, an error let the run score and put the tying run on base.

A bunt single by Anne Yates led to another Grizzlies error that allowed the trying run to cross home plate before Montana could escape the jam.

Casandra Padilla was 2-3 with a walk, an RBI, and a run scored to lead the Santa Clara offense.

McCall James (0-0) made the start and allowed three runs on four hits with three walks and two strikeouts in 2.1 innings. Micaela Vierra (1-1) picked up the loss in 4.2 innings of relief.

MaKenna McGill was 3-5 for Montana and Gabby Martinez was 2-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.

The Broncos were able to score three runs in the first two innings on some sloppy defense by Montana.

The Grizzlies answered back with a run in the bottom of the second and two in the third to tie the game. They would add single runs in the fourth and sixth before the thrilling finish.

The Broncos are back in action tomorrow at 10:45 a.m. vs. Sacramento State and 3:15 p.m. vs. UC Davis.