April 4, 2002

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University softball team returns from Spring Break and hosts Portland State this Sunday at Marsalli Park. The doubleheader against the Vikings begins at noon. Admission is free.

The Broncos, 13-23 overall, are 6-4 at Marsalli. The team's offense is led by junior outfielder Coresta Salas and freshman first baseman Lacey Smale, who have combined for 58 hits and 19 runs this season. The Bronco defense is led by senior Deanna Rodriguez in the circle, who is boasting a 2.30 ERA.

Sunday's contest will also feature the return of senior outfielder Sydney Wiginton, who has missed the last 24 games since breaking her jaw in three places against Humboldt State on February 16 while attempting to steal second.

"We're excited to have Sydney back," head coach Marcy Crouch said. "It's important to our team to have her leadership on the field and she always adds a spark to our lineup."

Portland State is 9-18 on the season and will face Saint Mary's before taking on the Broncos. The Vikings have been a very good first-inning ball club this season, outscoring opponents 10-5 in the first frame, but have not been able to hold on to their lead for very long, as opponents have topped PSU in the second inning throughout the season by a 25-2 margin.

Last season, the Vikings topped Santa Clara in back-to-back 1-0 shutouts, which included PSU head coach Teri Mariani's 1,000th game. She is now five wins shy of 600 for her career. Portland State leads the series against the Broncos 5-1.

"Portland State is a very good team and we'll need our pitchers to come out and set the tone for us," Crouch said. "They threw really well in practice on Wednesday and we need them to keep that up through the weekend."