Softball splits series with UC Davis

By Brian Betz

Last week's trip to play Division II No. 5 UC Davis shed both positive and negative results on Santa Clara's season. The Broncos defeated the Aggies 5-4 in game one, but turned around to drop game two by a score of 5-0.

Freshman Lacey Smale and sophomore Rachel Sherman wielded the big bats for the Broncos in game one with two homeruns apiece, while freshman relief pitcher Jennifer Ponzo came in to record the win. Smale finished the game with a pair of hits and three RBIs and as a team the Broncos unraveled the Aggies' pitching staff with seven hits over as many innings.

The nightcap did not go near as well for Santa Clara, as Davis hurler Amy Rosson allowed just one hit over six innings of work to attain a series split.

The Broncos were back in action this past weekend hosting the Lumberjacks of Humboldt State. Santa Clara took a one-run lead into the fourth, until the Jacks' bats came alive, going on a six-run sprint before knocking freshman starter Kelley Johnson out of the game. The seven runs scored in the fourth inning were enough for Humboldt, as they went on to the 8-4 victory.

Santa Clara would emphatically bounce back in game two, but not without paying the price. Senior left fielder and co-captain Sydney Wiginton fractured her jaw while attempting to steal second base in the fourth inning. However the injury seemed to spark the team. A five-run fifth, capped off by a Sherman three-run triple to right field was enough for the home plate umpire to call the game at 8-0.

"Losing Wiginton's leadership and presence will definitely hurt us until we get her back," Head Coach Marcy Crouch said. "Replacing a starting outfielder and leadoff hitter is tough to do, but this is a chance for some of our other players to really step up and get some quality playing time."

Up next for the Broncos is this weekend's Softball by the Beach Tournament at UC Santa Barbara. Santa Clara will challenge some of the best competition the nation has to offer, starting this Friday against the University of Oregon.