SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Beginning the Bronco Classic a day late due to rain, Santa Clara softball fell to Montana 8-1 and beat Seattle 9-3.
Game 1
Both teams had a slow start on offense but Montana (3-3) exploded for eight runs in the final three innings, including six in the top of the seventh.
After the Grizzlies tied the score at 1-all in the top of the fifth, Delene Colburn broke a 1-all tie in the top of the sixth with a one-out home run to left.
Montana added six in the top of the seventh for some insurance. Sydney Stites highlighted the frame with a three-run, two-out shot to left.
Colburn was 3-4 with two runs scored and an RBI and Bethany Olea and Ashlyn Lyons each added a pair of hits. Stites finished with three RBIs.
Micaela Vierra (0-2) got the loss in the 6 2/3 innings. She allowed eight runs, seven earned, on 11 hits with a walk and four strikeouts.
The first two batters reached for Santa Clara (0-3) in the bottom of the fourth on a hit and an error. With runners on the corners and one down, Geenamarie Bonilla poked a single into right field to put the Broncos on top 1-0.
Bonilla led the Bronco offense with two hits and an RBI. Ellie Fisher and Morgan Modesto each added a hit.
Sara Stephenson (1-1) picked up the win in 3 innings out of the bullpen. She didn't allow a run with two walks and two strikeouts.
Michaela Hood (0-0) started for Montana and got a no-decision in 4 innings. She allowed one unearned run on four hits with a walk and three strikeouts.
Game 2
Santa Clara's offense came alive in the bottom of the fifth with four runs. With runners on second and third and two outs, Kelsie Barnard doubled in both runners. Hannah Russell followed with an RBI double of her own and came in to score on Adele Elkind's single that made the score 7-3.
Modesto led the Bronco offense with three hits, two runs scored, and an RBI. Russell was 3-4 with a run and an RBI while Bonilla was 2-5 with a double, an RBI, and two runs scored. Fisher also added a pair of hits with a run scored and an RBI.
"It was nice to see the bats come alive a little bit today," Santa Clara head Lisa Mize said. "We were able to come through with the clutch hit when we needed it and added on. It was just a matter of time before the offense got going."
A lead-off single in the top of the seventh ended the day for Bronco starter Aubree Kim. McCall James came in and surrendered a two-run home run to pinch-hitter Emma Mitchell to make it a 9-5 game but got out of the inning without any more damage.
Kim (1-1) picked up her first collegiate win in 6-plus innings. She allowed four runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
"I'm really happy for Aubree," Mize said. "She pitched really well the other day but ended up with the loss. To see her throw well again and get the win is a good sign. She's going to be an important piece for us this season."
Madison Cathcart was 2-4 with a run and an RBI and Samantha Loomis and Mitchell both had two RBIs for the Redhawks.
Andie Larkins (0-4) started for Seattle and picked up the loss in 5 innings. She allowed seven runs, six earned, on 12 hits with a walk and five strikeouts.
Santa Clara closes out the Bronco Classic tomorrow at 9 a.m. vs. Montana and 1 p.m. vs. Seattle.
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