April 17, 2009
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- After a midweek setback to No. 2 Stanford, the Santa Clara softball team looks to bounce back into the win column with a series versus Saint Mary's College and University of Hawai'i. The Broncos (5-35, 0-8 PCSC) will first travel to PCSC rival Saint Mary's for a four-game weekend series in Moraga, Calif. from April 18-19. First pitch is set for noon on both Saturday and Sunday. SCU then returns home to host University of Hawai'i in a doubleheader on Monday, April 20. Game time is set for 2 p.m. versus the Rainbow Wahine.
Last Time Out
The Broncos are currently amidst a rough skid, as they have fallen in their last 16 contests. Santa Clara dropped a midweek 7-0 decision to No. 2 Stanford on Tuesday, April 14, and was swept by PCSC rival Loyola Marymount in a four-game series on April 10 and 11.
At the second-ranked Cardinal of Stanford, Santa Clara only managed two hits in the game and could not get a runner past first base. The powerhouse team that is Stanford maintained a strong game all-around and pitcher Ashely Chinn threw 22 strikeouts in the game.
In their weekend 0-4 outing versus LMU, SCU kept pace with the Lions. With the score tied at two-all after four innings, a six-run Loyola Marymount inning halted SCU's chance of earning their first PCSC victory. In the second game of the doubleheader, the Lions' took the game in five innings with an 11-0 shutout.
The following day, the Broncos once again kept pace with the Lions in the first four innings. After being down 3-1, SCU responded with four runs in the fourth inning. In the bottom half of the inning LMU scored a lone run and Santa Clara posted their sixth run of the game in the following inning. With a 6-4 SCU lead heading into the sixth, Loyola Marymount took off with a seven-run inning to once again prevent Santa Clara from posting a home win on the weekend. In the final game of the series, the Lions shutout the Broncos for the second time, with a 9-0 win.
West Valley College Softball Field
Fans please note the Broncos will call West Valley College Softball Field their home for the 2009 season. For information and directions please go here. There will be a $2 charge for parking and a $5 gate fee for both games of the doubleheader for people 13 and older. Regular admissions will include an official program with entry. Admission for children ages 12 and under will be $2.
Follow the Game
All Santa Clara home games will be available for fans on www.SantaClaraBroncos.com. Fans if you cannot make it to the park to watch your Broncos take the field, you will be able to follow all SCU softball action live on GameTracker.
Knight Continues to Have Strong Rookie Season
Freshman Briana Knight has become an immediate offensive leader on the Bronco softball team. The rookie outfielder is hitting a team-leading .280 clip, going 33-for-118, in 41 games played. She posts 19 RBIs, 14 runs, 11 doubles, four home runs and a triple this season, and posts a .492 slugging percentage and a .331 on base percentage. With 39 starts under her belt, she has been a solid force in the Santa Clara outfield, as well, as she's tallied a .962 fielding percentage.
Scouting Saint Mary's
The Broncos jump back into PCSC action with a local road trip to Saint Mary's this weekend (April 18-19). The Gaels (18-22, 2-5 PCSC) are riding a two-game skid. They fell to No. 14 California, 1-0, on April 15, and went 1-2 at Sacramento State on April 11. SMC is led by Katherine Delpit, who is 50-for-134 with a .373 batting average. Delpit posts 26 RBIs, 14 runs, five doubles and four home runs. The Gael four-player pitching rotation is headed up by Britany Linton, who is 5-10 this season. With a 2.74 ERA, Linton posts 22 appearances, five complete games and one shutout in 97.0 innings pitched. She's thrown 39 strikeouts, while allowing 117 hits, 57 runs and 28 walks. Batters are posting a .293 average against her.
Scouting Hawai'i
With five straight wins under their belt, University of Hawai'i heads to California to face San Jose State prior to playing the Broncos. The Rainbow Wahine (20-20, 8-4 WAC) are led by Stephanie Ricketts, who is 15-7 this season and posts 1.80 ERA in 171.1 innings pitched. Ricketts has appeared in 30 contests, thrown 18 complete games and seven shutouts. She's tallied 144 strikeouts, while allowing 118 hits, 58 runs and 37 walks. Offensively, UH is anchored by Amanda Tauali'i who is 39-for-110, with 31 RBIs, 20 runs, 12 home runs, seven doubles and two triples.
