March 25, 2003
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University softball team came from behind to earn a 3-2 victory over UC Santa Barbara in the opening game of a non-conference double-header, held this afternoon at Marsalli Park. The Gauchos rebounded to win the second game 4-1. Santa Clara's overall record moves to 16-14, while UCSB is now 23-9 on the season.
The Gauchos took a 1-0 lead in the first when catcher Jami Trinidad hit a two-out single to bring home Leslie Simien, who also reached on a single to lead off for UCSB. Santa Clara countered in the fourth with a solo home run from freshman Jessica Clee, her third of the season.
UC Santa Barbara extended its lead in the fifth. Simien reached base on balls, stole second, and then advanced to third on Chantal Pershing's single that was just fair down the left line. Simien scored on a wild pitch.
SCU responded. Shortstop Shannon Linerud and center fielder Coresta Salas hit doubles to add one more run to the Bronco half of the scoreboard. Second baseman Jenny Brown singled to right center to bring home Salas and give Santa Clara its first lead of the game, 3-2.
Although UCSB added four hits in the final two innings and finished with game out-batting SCU 9-4, the Broncos remained victorious. Jaime Forman-Lau struck out four in her 11th win of the season.
The second contest remained scoreless through the first five frames. UC Santa Barbara scored first, in the sixth. A single by Simien started the drive. She then stole second for the third time in the doubleheader, and advanced to third on Pershing's bunt. Later in the inning, a walk loaded the bases. Gaucho Kim Iversen converted, with a single that brought in two runs.
Santa Clara reduced the deficit by one with a run in the bottom half of the sixth. Gaucho Carly Harmon walked two Broncos and loaded the bases with a single by Linerud, with just one out in the inning. Senior Tracie Hall brought in one score before the frame closed.
UCSB added two runs in the seventh off of one walk and three straight singles.
Today's game was the third for the Broncos of a seven-game homestand. Santa Clara returns to action tomorrow, hosting Western Washington. First pitch for the non-conference double-header is scheduled for noon at Marsalli Park.
