March 11, 2005
SUNNYVALE, Calif. - First baseman Kelley Johnson hit a two-out single in the eighth inning to lift Santa Clara University to a 5-4 victory over Princeton to open the National Invitation Softball Tournament at Twin Creeks in Sunnyvale. The Broncos followed with a 4-1 loss to no. 2 California in the nightcap and are now 11-13 on the season.
Against Princeton, Santa Clara took a 2-0 lead in the third, combining a Tiger error and a two RBI-double by outfielder Jillian Cassel. Princeton countered with three runs in the bottom of the frame, with back-to-back doubles by Cristina Cobb-Adams and Melissa Finley, and a home run by Erin Snyder.
The Broncos evened the contest in the fourth with a run. Second baseman Jenny Brown opened the inning with a single, and advanced to third on the next two outs. She scored on a passed ball.
Princeton recaptured the lead with one run in the fifth, but once again, the Broncos responded in the top of the seventh, taking advantage of two Tiger errors to bring in Johnson, who reached base after being hit by a pitch to start off the inning.
With the international tiebreak rule in place for the eighth inning, Cassel was placed on second base. Jessica Clee followed with a single, and stole second. Two outs later, Johnson's RBI single brought in the game-winning run. Princeton was unable to respond in the bottom of the frame.
Liz Courter earned the complete game victory for the Broncos and is now 6-6 on the season. Vanessa Werner also added a hit for the Broncos, who finished with five total. Princeton's Kristen Schaus struck out 12, but took the loss for the Tigers.
Against Cal, Santa Clara took a 1-0 lead in the second with a homer from Brown, but allowed four runs in the final three innings as the Bears out-hit the Broncos nine to four. Bear Emily Friedman hit her first career home run and Lindsay James added three hits and Chelsea Spencer two RBIs as the Bears have now topped SCU three times this season. Sara Overmier took the loss in the circle for the Broncos.
The NIST continues through the weekend. Santa Clara will take on Colorado State in the championship bracket with the first pitch at noon. The team will return to the field at either 2 or 4 p.m., depending on results. Please visit host San Jose State's website for confirmed schedules, as games will be played based on results.
