TUCSON, Ariz. – Santa Clara softball nearly erased a five-run deficit but Arizona's offensive firepower proved too much as the Broncos fell 13-5 in the program's first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. In the opening game of the Tucson Regional on Friday, the Broncos fell behind 6-1 after three innings but scored four runs in the top of the third inning to get within a run at 6-5. However, the Wildcats put up seven more runs culminated by Sydney Stewart's rule-rule walk-off home run in the fifth to end the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Arizona (46-11) scored in each of the five innings, putting up 13 runs on 10 hits and took advantage of seven walks issued by the Santa Clara pitching staff. Stewart and two-way player Miranda Stoddard each homered for the regional hosts.
- Santa Clara (32-21) got a home run from Hope Alley in the top of the first to open the scoring when she launched the first pitch from Stoddard mid way up the left field bleachers. It was Alley's fifth home run of the season.
- The Wildcats answered with a run in the home half of the first on Devyn Netz's RBI single. Dakota Kennedy drew a lead off walk and advanced to second on a grounder before coming home on Netz's base hit through the right side.
- Bronco starter Cari Ferguson (8-10), who was named West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year and Freshman of the Year earlier in the week, had command issues, walking four batters in 1 1/3 innings before being replaced by Hannah Edwards.
- The Wildcats took the lead for good in the bottom of the second putting up four runs. Regan Shockey brought home two with a bases loaded single and moved to second on a throwing error by right fielder Abigail Charpentier. With runners in scoring position, the ball slipped out of Ferguson's hand during the windup, sending the ball backwards towards second base allowing both runners to score to give the Wildcats a 5-1 advantage.
- Stoddard led off the home half of the third with a solo home run to push the lead out to 6-1 before Santa Clara had their big inning.
- Facing Ryan Maddox who came in relief of Stoddard, the Broncos loaded the bases when Alley was hit by a pitch and drew a pair of walks before Robynn Balmediano roped a double to the right field corner to plate two runs. Stoddard (13-0) re-entered as the pitcher and gave up a single to Lauren Bryson allowing two more runs to score as the Broncos had cut the deficit to one run. With Bryson at third as the potential game-tying run, Curran popped out to second, stranding her.
- With momentum on Santa Clara's side, Arizona regained it with three runs in the fourth to push the lead back out to four runs. Edwards walked two of the third batters she faced and Kaiah Altmeyer brought them home with a double to the left center gap.
- Arizona loaded the bases in the fifth on singles by Kennedy and Shockey off Edwards. Hazyl Gray came in relief and issued a free pass to Netz to load the bases when Stewart stepped in for her game-ending home run.
- Shockey, Altmeyer and Stoddard each had two hits.
- Balmediano was the lone Bronco with multiple hits.
POST-GAME PRESS CONFERENCE:
NEXT UP:
- The Broncos next play on Saturday against the loser of Friday's second game between Ole Miss and Grand Canyon at 3:30 p.m. PT.
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