Softball Slugs its Way Out of 20-Year Slump

Between 1979 and 2023, Santa Clara Softball has only had three winning seasons–a rarity for Bronco Athletics. But with 12 games left this season, the Broncos are 22-19 with hopes to be the first team to finish with a winning record since 2004.

“I have no doubt in this team,” said junior third baseman and shortstop Morgan Salmon. “We've worked so hard in the offseason. Winter has prepared us perfectly to set us up with this great opportunity to go in and thrive. So I have no doubt in our abilities. And I think that we'll do it.”

While the program is on the precipice of reestablishing itself this season, it has taken head coach Gina Caronatto five seasons of developing the culture and rebuilding the program to have a team this successful. She began her Santa Clara career in 2019, during the Covid-shortened season, with just 8 wins. But she and the team have won over 20 games in each of the last three seasons, including this year. 

“I believe we've gotten better every year as we consistently beat more opponents that Santa Clara's not beaten in the past,” said Carbonatto. “That has shown where we're going and helped get people that want to win to come. Maybe people coming from top high schools or top travel college programs that do a lot of winning. That's valuable, because, you know, winners win.”

The Santa Clara athletic department has assisted in this growth by increasing the budgets for all sports, including softball, over the past few years. Carbonatto has more resources than the program has ever had before, from recruiting tools to staff expansion. 

“Our increase in budget can get us to travel further, recruit more and recruit further away than locally,” said Carbonatto. 

Carbonatto’s coaching philosophy is to “play the game, not work the game.” For her, centering the culture on that original joy and love for the game is key. 

“We're next to people that we love and are coached by people that are amazing,” said Salmon. “And we have a program here that's really thriving. We just love the energy that we create within our team and I think that's our success factor.” 

Will this team have the first winning season in 20 years? Only time will tell. Carbonatto is already one of the most successful coaches in program history, and the Broncos still have twelve games left to secure a fourth straight winning season. 

“We should be able to win half of our games,” said Carbonatto. “We're playing teams that statistically aren't as good as us. But you have to play the game. The game doesn't know who’s gonna win.”