Santa Clara softball lost to Loyola Marymount University 3-2 in a walk-off finish on March 29, after holding a one-run lead going into the final inning at Smith Field.
The game was part of the West Coast Conference opening series. Santa Clara, with a record of 17-17 overall and 2-1 in conference play, was close to completing a sweep against LMU. The Broncos led by one run entering the bottom of the seventh inning but could not hold on as LMU scored twice for the win.
In the decisive seventh inning, Cari Ferguson started in the circle for Santa Clara before being replaced by Ellison Schroeder. After loading the bases, Sydney Poole grounded out to second base. A replay review overturned an initial out call at home plate, tying the game when pinch-runner Analiah Lummus slid under catcher Taryn Clements’ tag. With Taelor Walker batting next, Schroeder threw a wild pitch that allowed LMU’s winning run to score.
LMU took an early lead in the third inning when Walker doubled and scored on Mika Yuge’s single. Santa Clara responded in the fourth as Rebecca Rubio bunted for a single and later scored on Clements’ bunt. Elle Merlino put Santa Clara ahead with her second home run of the season in the fifth inning.
Despite putting runners on base again in their last chance at bat, Santa Clara could not add insurance runs as Lindsay O’Dell came out of relief for LMU and retired two batters to keep it close. O’Dell earned her league-leading eleventh victory while Schroeder took her sixth loss this season.
Santa Clara will host Oregon State next for another three-game conference series starting Thursday.
