SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara softball earned a split on Saturday at the Silicon Valley Classic I. The Broncos (2-9) topped Northern Colorado (1-11) 9-1 in six innings but fell to Utah State (7-7) 6-1.

GAME 1
Santa Clara's offense came to life, scoring a season-high eight runs, highlighted by a trio of multiple RBI performances and nine hits from the top four spots in the batting order.

Eleni Spirakis had a double among three hits to go with a walk, a stolen base, and three runs scored out of the leadoff spot. Regan Dias also had three hits and added two RBIs, including the one to close out the game, and two runs scored while Sammy Needham had a double, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Jordan Dawkins collected two hits as well with a double and two RBIs.

Dias (1-1) also had a strong day in the circle, picking up her first collegiate win. She went 4 1/3 innings in the start, allowing one run on five hits with three strikeouts.

The Broncos used their speed to score three runs in the first after the Bears had taken a 1-0 lead. Spirakis led off with a single and stole second before coming in on a single to center by Dias. Dias promptly stole second and after Needham walked, the two pulled off a double steal. A sacrifice fly by Dawkins and an error brought in the final two runs.

In the fourth, Needham came up with a bases-loaded double to center that cleared the bases and Dawkins followed with a double of her own to make it 7-1.

Northern Colorado got its only run on a double by Mady Young that scored Kenzie Kudrna from second in the first inning.

Young picked up two hits on the day with four other Bears adding one hit apiece.

Taylor Puga (0-1) suffered the loss. She started and went 3 2/3 innings while allowing seven runs, six earned, on seven hits with three walks and a strikeout.

GAME 2
The Aggies scored four in the first behind four walks and were able to make it hold up despite collecting just four hits in the game.

Erin Kuba and Stephanie Reed both picked up two RBIs with Kuba also scoring a run. Lexi Orozco had a pair of hits and scored two runs with Ryan Holmes also crossing the plate twice.

Delaney Hull (3-3) went the distance while allowing a run on six hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

Singles by Spirakis and Dias preceded an RBI double by Sammy Needham that gave Santa Clara it's lone run in the third.

Dias and Needham both picked up a pair of hits with Spirakis and Taylor Burns adding on apiece.

Aubree Kim (0-4) started but lasted just 2/3 of an inning. She allowed four runs on a hit with four walks.

UP NEXT
The Broncos host Northern Colorado to close out the weekend tomorrow at 11:30 a.m.

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