SANTA CLARA, Calif. – On 2017 Opening Day, Santa Clara softball was swept in a doubleheader by UC Davis by scores of 2-1 and 2-0.
The Aggies were only able to score in one inning in each game but their pitching made it count by allowing just one unearned run. Both runs surrendered by the Broncos in the opener were unearned as the bats couldn't get going and managed just seven hits.
Game 1
After two quick strikeouts to start the season, Micaela Vierra got a groundball to short that should have ended the inning but it was booted and the inning continued. Alexis Carney followed with a single to right to put runners on the corners and Ashley Lotoszynski knocked in both runners with a double to make it 2-0.
Carney finished 2-3 with a run scored and three other Aggies (1-) picked up a hit each.
Vierra (0-1), making her second consecutive opening day start, tossed a complete game but got the loss by allowing two unearned runs. She surrendered five hits and struck out seven with two walks.
Ellie Fisher created the first run of the season for the Broncos (1-0) all by herself. With two down she singled to left and followed it up with a steal of second. The throw to second went off the defender and Fisher used her speed to come around to score.
Five Broncos collected one hit each with Morgan Modesto knocking a double.
Andrea Reynolds (1-0) went the distance to pick up the win for the Aggies. She allowed one run on five hits with a pair of strikeouts.
VIDEO | Ellie Fisher Singles, Scores @SCUSoftball's First Run of 2017 #StampedeTogether #SCUBroncos https://t.co/QSeCei9Iji pic.twitter.com/YVYVmCCBID
— Santa Clara Broncos (@SCUBroncos) February 12, 2017
Game 2
Alex Sotomayor led off the top of the fifth with a single to third for Davis (2-0) and moved up to second on a ground out. Taylor Peters singled to put runners on the corners and stole second. The first run of the inning scored on a balk and Christa Castello followed with an RBI groundout to give UC Davis the 2-0 lead.
In her collegiate debut, Aubree Kim (0-1) went the distance but got the loss by allowing two runs, one earned, on seven hits with a pair of walks and two strikeouts.
A single and an error put the tying runs on base for Santa Clara (0-2) in the bottom of the seventh but Gianetta France grounded into a game-ending double play.
Amanda Delfino and Kimberly Goulart each picked up a hit for the Broncos and Adele Elkind drew a walk.
Katelyn Kibby (1-0) tossed a complete game shutout and allowed just two hits with a walk and four strikeouts.
The top two batters in the Aggies' order, Brianna Warner and Taylor Peters, each collected two hits while three others each had one.
The Broncos are back in action Friday on the opening day of the Bronco Classic.
Connect with the Broncos on Social Media
Athletics: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
Softball: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
