SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara softball notched their program record-tying 30th win of the season defeating San Diego 6-3 to close out a historic season on a sunny Saturday afternoon at SCU Softball Stadium.  The Broncos matched the win totals of the 2003 and 2004 teams that claimed back-to-back 30 win seasons.  Additionally, the nine West Coast Conference wins set a program record surpassing the eight they had in 2019.   

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Santa Clara (30-23, 9-7 WCC) got timely hitting and a strong appearance in relief from Hazyl Gray to even the WCC series against San Diego and wrap up the 2024 campaign.
• Prior to the game, four Bronco seniors - Sage Hager, Cameron McGinnis, Bailey McLaughlin and Ella Romero - were recognized in a ceremony joined by families and friends. 
• All four seniors were in the starting lineup with Hager in the circle.  She gave up two runs in the opening frame on a double to Tele Jennings but the Broncos answered with two runs of their own in the home half of the inning on a double by Robynn Balmediano, who went 2-for-3 with three RBIs. 
• Hager came out in the top of the third with one out and was greeted with hugs from teammates as she left the field for the final time as a Bronco.
• Trailing 3-2 in the third, Romero laid down a squeeze bunt to score Balmediano to tie the game up at 3-all.  Rebecca Rubio followed with a sharp single to left for the go-ahead run. 
• Gray was nearly flawless in her 4 2/3 innings of work, retiring 14 of the 15 batters she faced giving up just a single to Alyssa Hernandez in the seventh.  She improved to 4-5 on the season.  Gray also starred in the box with two hits. 
• The Broncos added a couple of insurance runs in the sixth on back-to-back doubles by Morgan Salmon and Balmediano.
• San Diego (18-37, 6-9 WCC) starter Courtney Rose was the losing pitcher of record giving up four runs in 2 2/3 innings. 
• McGinnis doubled and McLaughlin had a single in their final game. 

Cheers to the class of 2024!! #SCUBroncos #StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/wXFAAXwfoh

— Santa Clara Softball (@SCUSoftball) May 12, 2024

Senior quartet + coach Carbs postgame interview. #SCUBroncos #StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/yk9szIxQ2f

— Santa Clara Softball (@SCUSoftball) May 12, 2024