Softball splits double headers at home
By Erin Chambers
It was a weekend of doubles as Bronco softball kicked off the 2002 season with two double-headers against two Bay Area rivals. The Broncos, now 2-2, recorded losses to No. 3 Stanford but won both games against Sacramento State.
Stanford dominated Santa Clara the first game of a double-header, scoring 11 runs in the third inning. The game was called shortly after, heading into the fifth, with the Cardinals leading 11-0. Game two was more of the same as stellar Cardinal pitching controlled the game.
"I was very proud of how our team played against Stanford," Head Coach Mary Crouch said. "It was not reflected in the score but we were swinging the bat very well against some of the top pitchers in the nation."
The Broncos only run of the day came in the seventh inning when sophomore Rachel Sherman walked and then scored on a Stanford error.
"The Stanford game is behind us; everything was left out on the field," freshman Lacey Smale said. "It was a good opportunity for us to see what we need to work on."
On Saturday it was the Broncos' turn to dominate as they swept a double-header against Sacramento State. Game one went smoothly to Santa Clara as Smale hit a triple to start off a three-run rally in the sixth inning. The Broncos scored once more in the seventh to take the win, 4-1. Freshman pitcher Jennifer Ponzo earned her first collegiate victory allowing eight hits and two strike-outs.
"Every player on the team contributed to the win," Smale said. "Our bats were on fire and we were seeing the ball really well at the plate."
Game two peaked in the seventh inning when, tied at 2-2, Smale smacked a double to bring in senior Sydney Wiginton and junior Roni Rivera. Senior Tracie Hall came up next and blasted a solo homerun to secure the Bronco's 5-2 victory.
Smale, who also led the team in hitting at the fall Stanford tournament, going 4-8 on the day with four RBIs, while senior pitcher Deanna Rodriguez held on until the end to record her first win of the season.
"This weekend was just a great way to start and set the tone for our goal of a .500 season," senior Captain Kristi Harrington said.
The team goes on the road this weekend to San Louis Obispo to play in the Cal Poly Tournament and then meets up with UC Davis early next week.