Feb. 20, 2003
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University softball team defeated San Jose State in both games of a doubleheader, held at Marsalli Park this afternoon. Second baseman Jenny Brown posted four runs and two RBIs to lead the Broncos to a 9-8 record on the season. The Spartans fall to 5-6.
The contests were originally scheduled for Feb. 12, but rescheduled due to rain.
In the first contest, Santa Clara opened up scoring in the third, taking a two-run lead. Brown opened the frame with a double and advanced to third on third baseman Vanessa Werner's bunt. She stole home on the next play. A single down the left field line by designated hitter Rachel Sherman brought in Werner.
Jaime Forman-Lau led the Broncos defensively, pitching a complete game and striking out six while holding SJSU scoreless. SCU increased its lead with three runs in the fifth. Two errors put Brown on second and Werner on first, with a wild pitch by Spartan hurler Carol Forbes advancing both runners. A double by first baseman Tracie Hall brought both home. Two outs later, a single by outfielder Coresta Salas brought in Hall.
Santa Clara finished with seven hits, while San Jose State posted two, both on bunts. In the second contest, the Broncos totaled 10 hits, followed closely by the Spartans' nine. Freshman Liz Courter earned the win in the circle, while sophomore Kelley Johnson picked up her first save of the season.
SJSU opened the game with a one-run lead in the first, after Becca Baldridge reached base on balls and then stole home a few plays later. Santa Clara responded and took the lead in the bottom half of the inning. Hits by Sherman, Salas, and short stop Shannon Linerud aided the Bronco offense.
The Broncos made it a 4-1 lead in the fourth with two more runs. Linerud took the first pitch of the frame and singled down the right field line. Werner followed with a single, while Linerud scored on a wild pitch by Candice Akin. Werner stole third and then was brought home by a single up the middle from sophomore Jennifer Ponzo.
San Jose State added a run in the fifth. Jessica Guillen singled to left field to score teammate Tara Hall.
Santa Clara added two runs in the sixth to close out scoring, with an RBI double from Brown and an RBI single from freshman Jessica Clee.
The Broncos return to action next weekend, visiting Fresno State on Saturday, March 1. First pitch of that doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m.
