Feb. 12, 2006
Game 1: Santa Clara 13, UC Davis 3 (5)
Game 2: Santa Clara 4, UC Davis 3 (8)
DAVIS, Calif. - The UC Davis softball team was swept by Santa Clara Sunday afternoon in its season-opening doubleheader at La Rue Field. The Aggies were downed 13-3 in the first game before getting edged 4-3, in eight innings, in game two. Julie Stauder and Nikki Sheldon each went 3-for-5 on the day. Sheldon went 3-for-3 with two RBIs in the second game. Belinda Paine and Megan De La Hoya each added two hits.
In the first game, UC Davis (0-2) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a two-out infield single by Sarah O'Neill that drove in Paine. Santa Clara (2-2) came back with a run in the top of the second and 12 runs in the fifth. The Aggies scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth with Stauder and Paine each driving in runs.
The second game was scoreless into the fifth inning before Santa Clara broke on top 1-0. UC Davis tied it in the bottom of the inning. With one out, Deanna Menapace singled to center to drive in Sheldon. After the Broncos regained a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth, the Aggies once again put together a rally.
In the bottom of the sixth, Ashley Johnson led off with a single. O'Neill sacrificed Johnson to second, who then stole third. Sheldon followed with an RBI-single to tie the game at 2-2.
Neither team scored in the seventh, setting up an active eighth inning. Santa Clara put two runs on the board on three hits and led 4-2 heading to the bottom of the inning. Paine led off with a single, and O'Neill walked walked with one out. Sheldon followed with a double to the left field corner, scoring Paine. Jerrica Castagno then retired the next two Aggies to preserve the 4-3 win for the Broncos.
"I was inspired. I think we showed a lot of heart and I think it was a great experience," said UC Davis head coach Karen Matteson-Yoder. "It was a tremendous difference between the first game and the second game."
"I know we have the hitting. I know we have the speed, and I know we have the ability," added Matteson-Yoder. "It's just a matter of gaining experience, learning from this, and that's the true test on how this team's going to respond to these hurdles."
UC Davis is back in action Tuesday afternoon when it hosts Saint Mary's in a doubleheader scheduled for 1 p.m. at La Rue Field.
