HILLSBORO, Ore. – Santa Clara softball rallied for five runs in the top of the sixth to defeat Portland State 5-2 to take the rubber game on Monday.  The Broncos strung together five hits in the inning to erase a two-run deficit as they won the three-game series after splitting the doubleheader on Sunday.  It was the final nonconference series for SCU, as the defending West Coast Conference championships will turn their sights to league play starting on Friday at LMU.  

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Through the first five innings Santa Clara (15-16) trailed 2-0, only able to muster two hits against Portland State starter Sherreigh Nakoa-Chung.  However, the bats came alive in the sixth as Rebecca Rubio and Kyla Acres singled to get the rally going.  Hazyl Gray drove in the first run with a base hit and Taryn Clements followed with another base knock to tie the game at 2-all.  With runners in scoring position, Robynn Balmediano's grounder scored Acres for the go-ahead run.  Pinch-hitter Audrey Graham came through to drive in a pair of insurance runs on a single through the right side to push the lead out to 5-2.  
• Cari Ferguson started in the circle for the Broncos where she allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings, both on walks.  
• Portland State (10-19) put together a two-out rally in the third when Jolee Benson doubled and Grace Johnson hit an infield single.  Ferguson then walked the next three batters to push across a pair of runs.  Abby Carsley and Sierra Llamas were credited with RBIs for drawing the last two walks to give Portland State a 2-0 lead.
• In the fifth, Ferguson was replaced by Ellison Schroeder after allowing two runners on base with two outs.  Schroeder promptly retired Mia Martinez to keep it a two-run game.  In the next half inning, the Broncos sent 10 batters to the plate for the five run explosion and Schroeder pitched the rest of the game to pick up her team-leading seventh win of the season.  
• Nakoa-Chung dropped to 5-6. 
• Acres and Benson had two hits apiece.  

NEXT UP:

• Santa Clara opens WCC play with a three-game series at LMU from Friday through Sunday.           

Connect with the Broncos on Social Media
Athletics: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Snapchat
Softball: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram