Softball splits doubleheader with Fresno St.
By Brian Betz
Softball
SCU 3, Fresno St. 0
In a pitchers duel that went scoreless into the seventh, Santa Clara broke the stalemate with three runs that started with an RBI single by senior outfielder Coresta Salas, which scored freshman infielder Jenny Brown. Junior pitcher Jaime Forman-Lau went the distance again to pick up her eighth win on the season, giving up just two hits while striking out six.
Fresno St. 5, SCU 1
The Bulldogs took the nightcap by scoring four runs in the sixth to break the 1-1 tie. Salas registered the only RBI for the Broncos, a single that brought home pinch runner sophomore Keri Reisinger. Up next for the 10-9 Broncos is the National Invitation Softball Tournament hosted at the Sunnyvale Complex. Games are scheduled against Virginia Tech and Arizona St. this Friday.
Men's Basketball
Portland 75, SCU 63
The men's squad dropped their seventh game in their last nine this past Saturday to previously last placed Portland. Pilots point guard Eugene Jeter finished with 24 points and added four rebounds and five assists. The only Bronco to score in double figures was freshman guard Brandon Rohe, who notched 13 points in the loss. The defeat drops Head Coach Dick Davey's team into a tie for last place in the conference at 4-10, in addition to an eighth seeding for the upcoming WCC Tournament. Play starts Friday down in San Diego, with a date with fifth seeded Saint Mary's.
Women's Basketball
SCU 79, Portland 69
The women closed out their regular season with a key road win, giving them the third seed and a first-round bye for this weekend's WCC Tournament. Five Santa Clara players scored in double figures, led by sophomore forward Kim Butler's 16 points. The Pilots played without the league's leading scorer, Khalila O'Rielly-Williams, while the Broncos welcomed the return of sophomore guard Megan Nelson, who missed the past five contests because of a sprained foot. The women start their tourney run Friday against the winner of the Portland-Loyola Marymount match-up.
Men's Golf
SCU 295, Saint Mary's 301
The men posted a combined score of 295, compared to the Gaels' 301 in Friday's win. Freshman Mike Nicoletti led all competitors with his 3-under par 69, which was two shots better than Brent Jensen of Saint Mary's. Bronco freshman Blake Lugar shot a 73, good enough for a third place tie, while senior Justin Ahasic and sophomore Matt Klenz finished fifth and sixth with scores of 76 and 77, respectively. The team takes to the links again on March 11 and 12 to participate in the Sacramento State Invitational.
Men's Tennis
SCU 5, Saint Mary's 2
Santa Clara took four out of six singles matches before earning a hard fought doubles point to take the match this past Saturday. The tandem of sophomores Ben Hidalgo and Francisco Zepponi saved four match points to take the No. 3 doubles contest, 9-8. The Broncos improve to 4-6 on the season and await road matches at Portland and Washington this weekend.
Women's Tennis
SCU 7, Saint Mary's 0
The Bronco women one-upped the men Saturday by sweeping the Gaels in convincing fashion. The team took all three doubles matches by scores of 7-3, 8-3 and 8-3, while every singles match was won in straight sets except for senior Christine Limbers and sophomore Catherine Cochrane, who won at No. 1 and No. 3 singles in three sets. The squad is now 5-5 on the season.
Women's Water Polo
SCU 13, Villanova 8
The women played two matches this past Saturday, starting with a five-goal victory over the Wildcats. The Broncos scored the first four goals of the match and never looked back, as they were paced by senior Becky Hong's impressive six-goal performance.
SCU 16, CS Hayward 5
The women carried their momentum into the second match. Senior Kelley Mays matched Hong's morning output with six goals of her own, while Hong added two herself. The team travels to CS Hayward this weekend to participate in the Cal State Hayward Tournament on Saturday and Sunday.