April 25, 2009
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara softball team earned their first conference win of the season over University of San Diego Saturday afternoon at the West Valley College Softball Field. The Broncos took a 3-1 victory over the Toreros, after dropping a 4-0 shutout decision in the first game of the doubleheader. SCU improves to 6-43, 1-13, while USD falls to 17-31, 7-7 on the season.
Despite being shutout in the early game and being limited to only four hits, SCU came to the second game of the doubleheader with a positive mentality and put out an all-around strong team effort. After conceding a San Diego run in the top of the second inning, Santa Clara took off with two runs in the bottom half of the inning. Catcher Emily Batt singled to centerfield with one out. Jeanine Ruffoni and Jenna Fong followed with two straight walks. With the bases loaded and two outs, Catherine Surane entered the game to pitch hit for centerfielder Nicole Picard. Surane battled San Diego's starting pitcher Kaitlyn Healy to a full count and came out on the winning end of the pitching-batter dual. Healy gave up her third walk of the inning to bring home SCU's first run of the game. With the bases still loaded, Santa Clara scored their second run of the inning on an USD passed ball.
In the fourth inning, Santa Clara secured their first PCSC victory with an RBI single from junior transfer Megan Smith. With runners on second and third and one out on the board, Smith came to the plate. The Bronco second baseman slammed a single to left field to score left fielder Jackie Nicora.
The Bronco defense played strong and composed behind winning pitcher Fong. The SCU sophomore pitched her fifth complete game and earned her fourth win of the season on the mound. She threw three strikeouts in 31 batters faced. She allowed only seven hits, three walks and one earned run.
SCU returns to the field tomorrow, Sunday, April 26, to close out the weekend series with the Toreros. First pitch is set for noon.
