Softball Shutout To End Season

Broncos lose five seniors, three games to BYU

Claire McLoughlinTHE SANTA CLARAMay 7, 2015Senior infielder Jordan Newell makes contact in one of Santa Clara’s games versus Brigham Young University this weekend. The Broncos were unable to muster up any offense as they were shut out in all three games, losing by a combined score of 19-0. Softball finishes their season with an overall record of 15-35 and 4-11 in conference. Photo by Anas Hussain.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Santa Clara softball team failed to score a single run in three games against Brigham Young University in a three-game series that began on Friday.

The Broncos fell to the Cougars in Friday’s doubleheader, 4-0 and 5-0. Freshman outfielder Ellie Fisher, who snagged a base and two walks in the first game, said offense was a problem for the Broncos in Game 1, but they improved by Game 2.

“In the first game, our team was not really hitting, but we were playing great defense,” said Fisher. “So I felt that our team made adjustments in the second game and we made better contact to the ball.”

Junior infielder Casandra Padilla agreed with her.

“We didn’t play a bad first game — in fact, it was one of our better hitting games,” said Padilla. “They just weren’t falling in the holes. BYU has a good outfield, and that’s what I believe won the game for them.”

The second game, went in favor of the Cougars, with the Broncos getting on base several times but unable to convert when they needed it the most. BYU, undefeated in conference play, claimed the West Coast Conference Championship with their second win on Friday.

Screen Shot 2015-05-07 at 2.24.27 PMWith one game left in the series and the season, the Broncos showed up on Saturday ready to give it their all.

They began the day by honoring their seniors, Breezy Bernard, Ashley Haney, Jenna Krummen, Jordan Newell and Briana Rios, all of whom started or had significant playing time in their four years as Broncos.

Rios started as pitcher on Saturday and although the Cougars were able to connect with the ball and score runs, Padilla said the senior’s pitching was still impressive.

“I believe that (Rios) pitched an awesome game, too,” she said. “She had (BYU) on their heels and threw a lot of their hitters off. Unfortunately, they caught a couple holes, and the game turned in their favor.”

Haney also made the most of her last game as a Bronco, by hitting a single in the bottom of the fifth inning. Haney’s hit, combined with a Fisher walk, was not enough, and the Broncos fell to Brigham Young University, 8-0.

The game ended in only five innings, and Santa Clara failed to net a single run against the Cougars last weekend.

The Broncos finished their season with a record of 15-35 overall and 4-11 in WCC play.

Both Padilla and Fisher are looking forward to next season and are already planning what they can do as a team.

“I think the team can improve just by working harder for next year and by bringing a positive attitude everyday to practice and games,” Fisher said.

Padilla stressed the game before the game.

“I believe that we all need to practice a little harder and continue to work on the little things,” she said.

The team lost five seniors after their disappointing final home games of the season.

Bernard led all Broncos with 24 RBIs and posted a .296 batting average this season. But all is not lost.

The future is looking bright, with freshman Fisher leading the team in hits with 51 and a batting average of .342. She will return to the diamond wearing red and white next season.

Padilla will return for her senior campaign with Santa Clara next winter after posting the second-best batting average on the team at .303.

The junior also smashed three balls over the fence this year.

Sophomore Gianetta France led the team with six home runs and will also return for the Broncos.

Geenamarie Bonilla, also just a sophomore this year, was second on the team in RBIs with 22.

Junior pitcher Ciara Gonzales held the team’s best ERA at 3.32 this season and will be back as well for Santa Clara.

Overall, despite a torrid, well-under .500 season, the future is secure with all of the young talent the Broncos possess.

Contact Claire McLoughlin at camcloughlin@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.