SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Robynn Balmediano had a pair of clutch hits including a walk-off single in the eighth inning and Hannah Edwards allowed just two hits in a complete game effort to lift Santa Clara softball past San Diego 2-1 in the West Coast Conference series opener on Thursday at SCU Softball Stadium. 

The Broncos need to win at least three games in the series to have a shot at claiming the West Coast Conference title. 

First place Saint Mary's beat LMU 5-3 in their series opener to stay atop the league standings with a 9-4 conference record while LMU dropped to third place with a 7-6 record.  Santa Clara moved to sole position of second place at 8-5.   

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Balmediano came through with a game-tying RBI double in the sixth and the walk-off RBI single in the extra inning to drive in the only two runs for Santa Clara (29-21, 8-5 WCC) to back up yet another stellar performance in the circle by Edwards.  Balmediano finished the game 3-for-3. 
• The Bronco bats stayed in check through the first five innings in a pitcher's duel between starters Edwards and Courtney Rose. 
• Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth with a runner at first and two outs, Balmediano smoked a ball to the right center gap to plate Caitlyn Golob to knot the game up at 1-all. 
• Santa Clara had an opportunity to walk it off in the seventh, putting runners in scoring position with one out but Kelsey Tadlock came in relief to retire the next two batters to strand the runners.
• Leiora Davidson started the home half of the eighth with a double and was pinch run for by Bethany Shih who moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Clements.  Balmediano worked the count to full and shot a single to center to bring home Shih for the game-winning run.  
• Edwards (13-5) pitched her third complete game in the last four starts but this was the first eight inning variety.  She allowed a pair of infield singles, walked one and struck out four on 87 total pitches.  
• The Bronco hurler got in trouble in the fourth giving up a hit, walk and a hit batsman to load the bases with no out.  She was able to pitch herself out of the jam allowing just one run, a sacrifice fly, by Joecellia Roberts.  
• Tadlock (1-8) took the loss giving up one run on two hits over one inning for San Diego (16-37, 4-9 WCC).

B8 | WALK OFF!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/3VIfymFiTV

— Santa Clara Softball (@SCUSoftball) May 10, 2024

????????????#SCUBroncos #StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/YadFYlt2FB

— Santa Clara Softball (@SCUSoftball) May 10, 2024

Let's hear it from Robynn, Hannah & coach Carbs!#SCUBroncos #StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/Ysruh09B5Z

— Santa Clara Softball (@SCUSoftball) May 10, 2024

• Santa Clara and San Diego play a doubleheader on Friday.  The first pitch is at 2:30 p.m.