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SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Sophomore lefty Briana Rios (Modesto, Calif. / Central Catholic) pitched six-plus scoreless innings in relief to lead Santa Clara University past visiting Idaho State University 4-3 on Sunday at the 2013 SCU Bronco Classic.
Rios came on with Santa Clara down 3-0 after five batters in the first inning. She was terrific the rest of the way, fanning six and scattering just six hits, shutting down an Idaho State (6-8) team that had knocked off Fresno State 6-5 earlier in the day.
While Rios was negating any further Idaho State offense, the Broncos rallied to immediately plate three runs in the bottom of the first inning to even the score at 3-3. In the third, junior outfielder Stephanie Fisher (Tracy, Calif. / Tracy) stole third and took home on a wild throw, which proved to be the winning run.
"We really showed some fight when we got down three runs today," said Santa Clara head coach Lisa Mize about the win over ISU. "Idaho State is a good hitting team, so I am happy that we got it done defensively. Briana Rios did a great job hitting her spots, something we can build on."
Santa Clara (1-9) finished its own SCU Bronco Classic 1-3 and will now host a single non-conference game with St. John's (N.Y.) on Monday at 2 p.m.
The Bronco Classic spanned 13 games - nine at held at SCU's new on-campus softball facility and four others at SJSU Field. San Jose State went 4-0, while Fresno State finished the weekend 3-1. Idaho State, Cal State Northridge and St. Mary's were the other three participating teams.
St. Mary's (3-8) enjoyed two-win day this afternoon, rallying from behind on two different occasions to extend the game and eventually beat Cal State Northridge 4-3 in 10 innings. The Gaels would then go on to shut out Santa Clara 4-0 in the tournament finale, a game called by darkness after six innings.
Fisher is hitting a team-best .500 (13 for 26) through 10 games this season for Santa Clara. She finished the tournament 6 for 10 with a double, two RBI and seven total bases. Senior third baseman Vanessa Renae Leija (Milpitas, Calif. / Milpitas) was 4 for 8 during the Broncos' four-game weekend. Jordan Newell (San Bruno, Calif. / St. Ignatius College Prep) went 3 for 3 in Santa Clara's tournament opener against Fresno State Friday.
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!
