SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Wrapping-up its conference-opening series, Santa Clara softball fell to Pacific by a final of 7-3. The Broncos are now 5-22 overall and 1-2 in WCC play while the Tigers are now 13-21 overall and 2-1 in conference action.

Santa Clara returns to the field Thurs., April 10 at 3 p.m. at Utah Valley before heading to BYU for a three-game set on Friday and Saturday.

Ciara Gonzales (2-8) started for Santa Clara and picked up a loss in 3.2 innings. Gonzales allowed seven runs, six earned, on eight hits with one walk and one strikeout. Geenamarie Bonilla was 2-3 with a double and two RBI to lead the offense. Cassandra Padilla was 2-2 with a walk and two runs scored while Amanda Delfino was 1-2 with a run scored.

Tori Shepard (5-9) started for Pacific and picked up the complete game win. Shepard allowed three runs on eight hits with one walk and six strikeouts. Alex Steinmehl was 2-3 with a two-run home run and a walk to lead the offense. Taylor Petty was 2-4 with a double, a run scored, and two RBI while Nicole Zapotoczny was 2-4 with a run scored and two RBI.

Gabby Goyette started the bottom of the first with a bunt single and moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt. After a strikeout and a walk, Zapotoczny reached on an error that allowed the first run of the game to score.

Santa Clara jumped out to a lead in the top of the third after the first batter went down. Delfino singled to left and Padilla walked before the bases were loaded by a Rochelle Rivera single through the left side. Stephanie Fisher hit a sacrifice fly to center and Bonilla hit an infield single to make the score 2-1 Santa Clara.

A six-run fourth gave the Tigers a commanding 7-2 lead. Zapotoczny singled to right and scored on a one-out home run by Steinmehl that put Pacific back on top. The Tigers loaded the bases with two outs and Petty singled in two runs. Bailey O'Mara singled to left to load the bases again and Gonzales was lifted for Brianna Rios. Zapotoczny hit a two-RBI single to right field to bring in the sixth and seventh Tiger runs.

The Broncos got a run back in the top of the fifth to get within four runs. Padilla led off with a single to right and moved up to second on a wild pitch. After two groundouts, Padilla was still on second but Bonilla came through with a RBI double that made the score 7-3.

Padilla was hit by a pitch with one out in the top of the seventh and after a fielder's choice, Fisher singled to left to put two on for Santa Clara. Bonilla went down swinging to end the game.