SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Santa Clara softball and Cal Poly split a doubleheader on Tuesday with the Mustangs winning the first game 5-4 and the Broncos taking the second game 3-0.
Game 1: Cal Poly 5 - Santa Clara 4
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Santa Clara's (6-10) scored three runs in the seventh inning to get within a run but their comeback bid fell just short, losing 5-4 to Cal Poly (3-8).
- The Broncos trailed 5-1 entering the final inning and with the potential game-tying run at third and the go-ahead run at second, Taryn Clements hit a ball to shallow center that was caught by centerfielder Byrd on a diving effort to end the Broncos rally.
- Cal Poly starting pitcher Kaylee Davis was in command through the first six frames allowing just three hits. However, in the seventh, she allowed the first two batters to get on board. Pinch-hitters Audrey Graham and Robynn Balmediano reached on an infield single and was hit by a pitch. Bree Brennan came in relief to get the next two batters out but walked Rebecca Rubio to load the bases. Kyla Acres was hit in the elbow to push a run across to make it 5-2 and Hazyl Gray closed the gap to 5-4 with a single up the middle to plate two runs.
- Davis got the win and Brennan picked up the save, the first for each of them this season.
- The Mustangs jumped to a 3-0 lead in the second, putting together a two out rally. Karina Choi scored the first run on the front end of a double steal of home, Madi Bohannon tripled in a run and Maddy Bermudez had an RBI base hit against Bronco starter Cari Ferguson. None of the runs were earned as the Broncos committed two errors in the frame.
- Santa Clara threatened in the fourth, loading the bases on Rebecca Rubio's single and drawing a pair of walks. Caitlyn Golob pushed a run across on a fielder's choice RBI to make it 3-1 but Davis struck out Leiora Davidson with runners in scoring position to escape the inning.
- Cal Poly (2-8) got a run back in the fourth on Bohannon's single and added another in the fifth on Sienna Erskine's double to push the lead out to 5-1.
- The Mustangs went 5-for-10 with two outs in the game.
- Rubio had two of the five hits for the Broncos.
Game 2: Santa Clara 3 - Cal Poly 0
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Ellison Schroeder and Kendal Manley combined to throw a four-hit shutout in Santa Clara's 3-0 victory in the backend game to snap the Broncos six-game losing streak.
- Schroeder repeatedly pitched out of jams, leaving nine Cal Poly runners stranded over her five innings of work. She escaped a bases loaded situation in both the second and third innings to keep Cal Poly (3-9) off the boards. The freshman hurler gave up three hits and three walks to pick up here second win of the season.
- Manley pitched the last two innings, giving up one hit, to earn a save.
- The Mustangs went 0-for-14 with runners on including 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
- SCU (7-10) got two runs in the first. Cairah Curran drew a walk to lead off the game and promptly stole second and third before coming home on Rebecca Rubio's single. Rubio moved to third on a wild pitch and a grounder, then scored on Hazyl Gray's single to left.
- The Broncos added an insurance run in the sixth on a bunt single by Taryn Clements.
NEXT UP:
- Santa Clara plays four games at the Capital City Classic Tournament, co-hosted by Sacramento State and UC Davis, from Friday through Sunday. Their first game is against Sacramento State on Friday at noon.
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