April 10, 2002
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University softball team fell twice to Pacific this evening at Marsalli Park. The Tigers took the first game by a 3-0 score and then closed the night with a 6-5 victory in a marathon nightcap that lasted 2:38.
Santa Clara, now 15-26 on the season, remains at home and continues a five-game homestand, hosting Loyola Marymount on April 14 at noon. Pacific moves to 30-12 on the year.
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Broncos took the early lead, scoring two runs in a 40-minute first inning. Junior outfielder Coresta Salas opened the game with her second triple of the day and was brought home by third baseman Kristi Harrington's single. Sophomore designated player Rachel Sherman added the second score with a single that brought in Harrington.
Santa Clara added to its lead in the next inning, on a two-out single by freshman first baseman Lacey Smale that brought home Salas. Salas reached base on balls and advanced into scoring position on Harrington's second hit of the game.
Scoreless through the fourth, Pacific reversed the advantage with six runs on five hits with two outs in the fifth inning. Right fielder Nicole Inouye walked and was brought home by short stop Michelle Anunciation's triple for the Tigers' first score. Third baseman Brandy Thurman made it a 3-2 game by singling in her teammate. The next batter walked, designated player Cindy Ball singled, but a Bronco fielding error advanced two runners and brought in Thurman. Outfielder Estee Okumura posted Pacific's second triple of the frame to clear the bases. Infielder Boni Kading's single drove Okumura in. Santa Clara registered the final out when the first batter of the frame returned to the plate and lined out to the pitcher.
The Broncos did not back down and responded with two runs in the bottom half of that inning. Senior left fielder Sydney Wiginton and Harrington reached base on balls, with Wiginton scoring on a wild pitch. Smale drove in her second run of the game with a single that brought in Harrington.
SCU was unable to pull out the victory in the seventh as Ball earned her fourth save of the season. Tiger Ashlie Platten took the win in the circle to move to 5-2 overall, while freshman Kelley Johnson's record moved to 5-7 for the Broncos. Pacific finished with 11 hits and left 10 runners on base, while the Broncos registered seven hits, stranding eight runners.
In the opener, the first three innings were scoreless, but Pacific was able to open a slim lead in the fourth. Ball singled to center and scored when Okumura registered a two-out, 1-2 pitch triple to deep right center to give the Tigers the lead.
Santa Clara mounted a threat in the bottom of the sixth when Salas led off the inning with a triple that reached the left field wall. The Tigers tamed the Broncos' momentum by picking Salas off and catching Harrington at second on the same play.
Pacific added to its lead in the final frame. Okumura reached first on a fielding error and stole second to move into scoring position. Catcher Ashlie D'errico's sacrifice fly brought her teammate in for a two-run advantage. UOP Later in the inning, with runners on second and third, Annunciation singled to left field to bring home the final run.
Ball improved to 18-8 in the circle for the Tigers, while freshman Bronco pitcher Jennifer Ponzo took her 10th loss of the season. Wiginton earned SCU's only other hit of the contest.
