Broncos Go Out in Style on Senior Day

By Henry Gula

The Santa Clara softball team wrapped up its season with an 11-3 loss at Stanford University on Tuesday. Their 2-3 record over their last five games was a decent finish for the team, as they struggled through an eight-win regular season.

Seven of their eight wins came at home in the inaugural season at the team's new field adjacent to Bellomy Field.

The Bronco offense was led this season by outfielder Stephanie Fisher, who finished the season with a .320 batting average. She started every game, blasted three home runs and drove in 15.

On the pitching side, senior Carissa Theis led the squad with a 4.17 earned run average over 102 and one third innings. In eight of her 24 appearances, she pitched a complete game.
Over the past weekend, the Broncos were able to split a fourgame series at home with conference opponent University of San Diego.

The Broncos played two doubleheaders, splitting both. On their Senior Day celebration in the final game of the series and their final home game of the season, the Broncos beat the Toreros 5-4.

Senior Jamie Wallis started the game with a leadoff home run, her first of the season.

The Toreros were able to score three in the third inning to put themselves up by three, but the Broncos battled back.

Santa Clara scored twice in the sixth inning on the strength of four hits. A leadoff double by Casandra Padilla and singles by Jordan Newell and Rochelle Rivera loaded the bases. With one out, Wallis dropped a single into center, driving in the tying run and Breezy Bernard followed with a sacrifice fly to score the go-ahead run.

The Broncos will look to rebound next spring with more satisfying results. They finish their season with a 8-46 record, including a 5-19 conference mark.

Contact Henry Gula at hgula@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.