SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Santa Clara University softball team wraps up its 2012 season tonight, facing No. 19 Stanford in Palo Alto at 6 p.m. The Broncos just completed its Pacific Coast Softball Conference (PCSC) schedule over the weekend, splitting a four-game set with CSU Bakersfield.

Tuesday, May 1 – Smith Family Stadium (Palo Alto, Calif.)
Santa Clara @ No. 19 Stanford – 6 p.m.
Live Stats

SANTA CLARA
The Broncos (11-42; 5-15 PCSC) enjoyed 'Senior Day' by honoring four-year players Briana Knight and Kristin Welsh with a post-game BBQ following its series with CSU Bakersfield last weekend. Knight enters Tuesday night's game at Stanford ranked No. 2 all-time at SCU in homeruns (31) and RBI (108), while also ranking third in career doubles (32). One more homerun would equal the all-time mark of 32 set by Jessica Clee '06. Welsh is finishing a college career that has seen her been named both an All-PCSC player and All-PCSC academic honor roll award-winner.

STANFORD
The Cardinal (32-16; 6-12 Pac-12) have had a tough go of things in the Pac-12, but are still ranked No. 19 nationally by the NFCA. That will tell you how strong the Pac-12 is in softball. No. 1 Cal and No. 2 Arizona State swept Stanford in three-game series this season, with the Sun Devils doing so last weekend in Tempe. Those three losses at ASU, coupled with a road loss to San Jose State on April 17, have the Cardinal trying to snap a four-game losing streak tonight. 

QUOTABLE
"Two kids I can always count on," says SCU head coach Lisa Mize about her two seniors, Kristin Welsh and Briana Knight. "They always showed up to the field ready to work hard, were always positive through our ups and downs ... two key players that are really important to our softball history here."

INSTANT ACCESS
For the very latest on Santa Clara softball, follow the team's official Twitter page (@SCUSoftball) and the Bronco softball Facebook page for updates and information throughout the year.

FUTURE LOOKS PROMISING FOR BRIANA RIOS AND BRONCO SOFTBALL
For Briana Rios and the Santa Clara University softball team adversity is no stranger. The Broncos have been in many precarious spots this season, and often times they called on Rios to come in and shut the door. The future looks bright for the Broncos and this young freshman, and they look to close out this season on a high note. Rios was recently able to connect with SantaClaraBroncos.com about her season and her future with the Broncos. Read more.

IMMEDIATE IMPACT: FRESHMAN CATCHER BREEZY BERNARD
Freshman Breezy Bernard has made an immediate impact for the Santa Clara University women's softball team, starting at catcher in her first collegiate season. In the midst of a grueling 56 game schedule, SantaClaraBroncos.com caught up with the backstop about the team's stunning comeback against LMU, her work with the pitching staff and the plethora of young talent on the roster. Read more.

ALYSSA JEPSEN GIVES FANS AN INSIDE LOOK AT SCU SOFTBALL 
It's always an adjustment for transfers to be successful in their first year at a new university. But Alyssa Jepsen, last season a National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Junior College All-American shortstop and pitcher at the College of San Mateo, has immediately become Santa Clara's leadoff hitter and everyday shortstop. She recently took the time to give us an inside look at SCU Softball. Read more.

PCSC STANDINGS (May 1)
Coastal Division
**St. Mary's (15-4) 26-21
San Diego (13-7) 26-19
Sacramento State (10-9) 27-19
LMU (10-10) 32-21
CSU Bakersfield (6-14) 13-39
Santa Clara (5-15) 11-42

Mountain Division
**Portland State (15-5) 25-23
Utah Valley (10-10) 29-22-1
Northern Colorado (10-10) 25-27
Weber State (10-10) 21-32
Seattle (8-12) 15-28
Idaho State (7-13) 12-36

**St. Mary's will host Portland State in the 2012 PCSC Championship Series May 11-12 in Moraga

BRONCOS ADD TO 2013 RECRUITING CLASS, SIGN CIARA GONZALES
Santa Clara University and head softball coach Lisa Mize have received a signed National Letter of Intent from Ciara Gonzales (Chandler, Ariz./Mountain Pointe High School), an all-league pitcher and infielder from the Phoenix, Ariz. area. Gonzales will attend the University beginning in the fall of 2012 and play for the Broncos in 2013. Read more.

PCSC SHIFTS TO SEVEN TEAMS NEXT YEAR
Brigham Young University has accepted an invitation to join the Pacific Coast Softball Conference in 2013. The addition of BYU will give the PCSC seven teams for the 2013 campaign as the Big Sky Conference will begin sponsoring softball in 2013, meaning the PCSC's Big Sky core-members of Idaho State, Northern Colorado, Portland State, Sacramento State and Weber State will leave the PCSC after this season. Seattle University will also be leaving the PCSC for the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) following the 2012 campaign.

While the West Coast Conference (WCC) does not sponsor softball, the Cougars will be among five WCC schools in the soon-to-be seven-team PCSC in 2013. BYU will play the 2012 season in the WAC before joining fellow WCC members Santa Clara, Loyola Marymount, San Diego and Saint Mary's in the PCSC .

PCSC alignment for 2013
Santa Clara, LMU, BYU, St. Mary's, San Diego, Cal State Bakersfield, Utah Valley

Support Santa Clara University Athletics by making your tax deductible donation to the Bronco Bench Foundation. For more information follow this link or call 408-554-5577. For additional involvement opportunities with Santa Clara Athletics, click here.