PALO ALTO, Calif. – Cal Poly overcame a three-run deficit in the seventh to top Santa Clara softball 9-4 in nine innings Saturday afternoon at the Stanford Nike Invitational.
Crimson Kaiser had the big blow in the game, a three-run shot to left-center in the top of the ninth. The Mustangs (6-6) would add two more in the inning for some insurance.
After the first out was recorded in the top of the seventh, a single and a triple by Chelsea Convissar brought in a run before a walk ended the day for Broncos (0-8) starter Aubree Kim. Stephanie Heyward greeted Micaela Vierra with a two-run double to center that tied the score at 4-all.
Kaiser finished the day 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored while Heyward was 3-for-5 with a double, two RBIs, and a run scored. Amanda Sandoval also added two hits, including a triple, a run, and two RBIs.
Vierra (0-4) took the loss in 2-plus innings out the bullpen while allowing four runs on six hits with a walk and two strikeouts. Kim went 6 1/3 innings while allowing four runs on six hits with three walks and four strikeouts.
Steffi Best (2-1) got the win in 5 innings of relief while Cal Poly starter Shelby Jeffries got a no-decision in 4 innings. Jeffries allowed four runs on five hits with a walk and two strikeouts.
Santa Clara made some noise in the ninth, getting the tying run to the plate after RBIs from Taylor Burns and Samantha Johnson-Needham but couldn't complete the comeback.
Burns led the Bronco offense with three RBIs while Eleni Spirakis added two. Ellie Fisher was 3-for-3 on the day with two runs scored and three stolen bases.
Santa Clara struck for three in the home half of the fifth to get on top 4-1. The first five batters all reach, with a walk to Eleni Spirakis bringing in the first run and a single up the middle by Taylor Burns plating the next two.
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The Broncos conclude the weekend with a game against Stanford at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.
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