By Zoë Woodward – Spear Reporter | Senior first base player, Shay McDowell at bat against Santa Clara. Photo by Zoë Woodward – Spear Photographer.
San Jose State softball (6-15, 0-0 MW) are defeated 4-1 at home, in its second game of the double header against Santa Clara (10-13, 0-0 WCC).
SJSU had beaten the Broncos in a close 3-2 game earlier in the day, so heading into the second match, the team were optimistic it could find another victory.
It was the Bronocs that were first to put points on the board for this matchup.
After the first three innings, there was nothing separating the two teams. An unsuccessful double play from the Spartans in the top of the fourth inning meant that one out was still needed.
Broncos senior left fielder Robynn Balmediano, struck a ball deep into the right field, allowing the player on second base to make it home and put the first point on the board.
“We just need to keep working hard, keep making small adjustments to the little things and just go out there and leave it all on the pitch,” freshman pitcher Delaney Faus said.
Santa Clara was up 2-0 at the bottom of the sixth inning, SJSU looked to be still in the game as this inning was the best chance they had of a comeback.
Senior second base player Reina Zermeno stepped up and hit the ball into the left field for a double, sparking hope for the Spartans. Next up to bat was junior center fielder Carly Cummings, she was able to get herself to first base meaning the bases were loaded with no outs taken.
On a full count at bat, freshman right fielder, Leata Sherlin, was able to hit a ground ball and get herself to first base. Senior shortstop, Ahmiya Noriega, ran home from third base but was tagged out. The bases were still loaded but with one out taken.
There was still a chance SJSU could take the lead. Senior first base player Shay McDowell hit to centre field allowing a run to be scored for the Spartans.
This is all they would score this inning though as Santa Clara would end it with a double play.
“We have got to come out fighting from the start, not wait till towards the end,” head coach Tammy Lohmann said. “We had plenty of opportunities early on that we just didn’t capitalize on and we have just got to be better earlier on in the game.”
The Broncos would secure the victory by scoring the two final runs of the game in the top of the seventh inning.
“We’re definitely not dwelling on the loss, we’re just trying to learn from it,” McDowell said. “We’re going to come out tomorrow with the same mindset as we had in the first game and go from there.”
The Silicon Valley Classic II continues for the Spartans at 10 a.m. on Sunday at the Spartan Softball Complex where they take on Saint Mary’s.
