Softball wins three

By Brian Betz

The Santa Clara Softball squad took their 2-2 record down to Cal Poly this past weekend to participate in the Inaugural Mustang Round-Up Tournament.

Six teams were invited to participate in the three-day tournament, a weekend that placed an immense amount of pressure and strain on the players, who had to play five games in almost half as many days.

The Broncos failed to score a run in their first game against SW Missouri St., losing 2-0 Friday. SWMS pitcher Tauni Kennemer stifled Bronco hitters, allowing only one hit en route to throwing a complete game.

But the girls bounced back that afternoon behind the pitching of senior Deanna Rodriguez, who allowed only three hits for the 5-0 victory over Colorado St. Juniors Coresta Salas and Tracie Hall paced the Broncos' bats, each going 2-4, while Salas scored once and drove in another.

Saturday's results were very similar to Friday's, as the Broncos won a close game against host Cal Poly by a score of 2-1, but turned around to lose to Southern Utah. Hall spoiled the Mustangs' Saturday morning by going 3-4 and driving in what would turn out to be the game-winning RBI in the fifth inning.

However, in their evening match up against the Thunderbirds of Southern Utah, the Broncos could only muster four hits in seven innings against T-Bird hurler Tracy Evans, as they were again shutout 2-0.

Santa Clara managed to leave the weekend above .500 with Sunday's clutch 1-0 victory over UC Santa Barbara. Freshman pitcher Kelley Johnson recorded her second win of the tourney by striking out three over seven innings of work.

"I am especially pleased with how we defeated both Cal Poly and UCSB. Mostly because it is the close games that you reflect upon as the season progresses," Head Coach Marcy Crouch said.