RIVERSIDE, Calif. – On the second day of the Highlander Classic, Santa Clara softball split with Idaho State and UC Riverside. The Broncos (4-4) topped the Bengals 8-4 but lost to the Highlanders 6-4.

GAME 1
Idaho State (2-7) was able to score single runs in each of the first four innings, but Santa Clara responded with a pair of three run frames over the same period and added a two-run fifth as well. Despite being out hit, the Broncos took advantage of four Bengals errors to tie their season high offensive output.

Three batters into the bottom of the third, the Broncos took the lead for good after RBI singles by Amber Arreola and Morgan Hess in the second and third innings, respectively, evened the score at 3-all. An error started things and allowed Ashley Trierweiler to reach leading off the third before Sammy Needham followed with a single. Emma Bickford knocked in both runners with a double.

Needham finished with three hits for the second game in a row and added two runs scored. Bickford drove in three and scored two runs with Trierweiler also crossing the plate two times. 

A walk and a pair of singles loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the third to start the first Santa Clara three-run inning. A fielder's choice and an error followed that let two runs come across. Taylor Burns added a sac fly two batters later to make it a 3-1 lead.

Hannah Edwards (1-2) picked up her first career win in 4 innings of relief. She allowed a run on six hits. Lauren Anderson started and got a no-decision in 3 innings while allowing three runs on eight hits with a strikeout.

The Bengals jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a solo shot from Emma Bordenkecher.

Bordenkecher led the offense with a home run, a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored while going 4-for-4. Hess also had three hits with an RBI.

Mailee Newman (1-2) started and took the lost in 4 2/3 innings. She allowed eight runs, six earned, on seven hits with five walks and three strikeouts.

GAME 2
UC Riverside (5-3) didn't hit a ball out of the infield in the first but scored three runs and took a lead it wouldn't surrender. A hit by pitch, a bunt single, and two walks before an out was recorded gave the Highlanders the early lead. After a punchout, another walk followed by an infield single made it a 3-0 game.

Marissa Burk was the only Riverside player with more than one hit and she was 2-for-2 with two RBIs and a run scored. Danielle Ortega scored twice thanks to two walks and Melanie Olmos knocked in two with a run scored behind a hit and two walks.

The Highlanders would add single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings to stretch their lead out to 6-2.


Jacy Boles (2-1) picked up the win in 1 2/3 innings of one run relief despite allowing three hits and walking three. She also struck out one following the starter Olmos who went 1 inning.

Santa Clara managed to bring the tying run to the plate in the top of the seventh after singles by Needham and Bickford started the frame. A fielder's choice hit into by Burns cut the Broncos deficit to 6-4 but that was all they could get.

Eleni Spirakis had added a solo home run in the top of the sixth and finished the game with a pair of runs scored. Needham added two more hits and scored a pair of runs and is now batting .640 on the season.

Santa Clara got its first two runs of the day in the top of the third after loading the bases with one out. Bickford got the first run across with a fielder's choice and Hannah Russell followed with an RBI single.

Aubree Kim (0-2) went the distance for Santa Clara but took the loss. She allowed six runs on five hits with nine walks and four strikeouts.

NEXT UP
The Broncos take on UTEP tomorrow at 9 a.m. to close out the weekend.

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