Broncos Break Through: Santa Clara Softball Makes Program History

Women’s softball team holds up WCC trophy after win. Photo provided by SCU Athetlics

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Not only did the Santa Clara University softball team win a game, they changed the course of the program’s history. In addition to securing the West Coast Conference regular season title, the Broncos secured their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth in their 46-year history with a 15-4 run-rule victory over Oregon State University. 

To start the day, the Broncos were behind Saint Mary’s College of California in the WCC standings. The assistance they needed arrived just as their own game was getting underway, as Loyola Marymount University defeated Saint Mary’s 9-6 after an eight-run sixth inning comeback. Santa Clara entered the field intending to win, regardless of the outcome of the Saint Mary’s game. 

“We weren’t aware of the results of the Saint Mary’s/LMU game,” said graduate transfer Hope Alley ’25. “Our entire focus was on our game. We knew we were going in for a win regardless of what was going on in the other game.”

The Broncos played hard, pounding out 14 hits in just five innings, in which every hitter in the lineup got at least one hit. Robynn Balmediano ’26 opened up the scoring with a two-out, bases-clearing double in the first inning to give SCU a 3-0 lead, and after this they never looked back. 

“Our hitting coach tells us to have a plan before walking into that box,” said Balmediano. “And before all games we start with a prayer, so I had faith in God and myself at that moment and just executed.”

Rebecca Rubio ’27 added to the second-inning rally with a two-RBI single, part of her four-RBI performance on the day. Taryn Clements ’27  followed with a double to knock out Oregon State’s starter, one of her three hits in the game.

In the third, Hazyl Gray ’26 crushed a two-run homer to keep momentum on the Broncos’ side, pushing the lead even further. 

Santa Clara added three more runs in the second inning, and by the time the fifth ended they had scored seven more runs, aided by five hits and three Oregon State errors. 

In the explosive fifth, Rubio and Alley each drove in two runs to cap off the offensive attack. On the mound, Hannah Edwards ’28 started the game for the Broncos and pitched into the third inning. Cari Ferguson ’25 came in relief and shut things down, throwing the last 2 ⅓ innings to earn the win. 

Alley, who transferred from the University of California, Berkeley, opened up about her experience coming to Santa Clara for her final season. “Coming off my undergrad career, I wanted to go somewhere that I’d really enjoy the game,” said Alley. “I heard good things about the culture and the coaches at Santa Clara, and it just fit really well for me.”

This win secured several program firsts: most wins in a season, most conference wins, and most WCC series wins—with 32, 11 and 5, respectively. For many, what set this team apart wasn’t just the numbers, but the culture. 

“We play hacky sack together to keep it light. Our pregame prayer helps center us. And we just genuinely enjoy the game and each other,” Alley said. “Everyone plays with joy.”

For Balmediano, the win was more than just a championship; it validated all the hard work and everything the team built throughout the season.

“We were on a high,” she said. “We made program history. But what made it special was how we supported each other and held the rope for one another, which means supporting and holding each other accountable for the practices, or even with schoolwork and overall being there for each other.”

The team wrapped up a historic season with two hard fought games at the Tucson Regional in their first NCAA Tournament appearance. The Broncos rallied from a five-run deficit to get within one against the University of Arizona before ultimately falling 13-5 after a big fifth inning by the Wildcats. In the elimination game, Santa Clara took an early lead, but Grand Canyon University responded with three solo home runs and a five-run fifth to win 9-4. 

After this season, the Broncos are focused not just on celebrating what they have accomplished, but what comes next. 

“It all continues from here, and this can instill confidence in our team,” said Alley. “We have all the tools that we need in order to continue to win and have fun.”