Santa Clara University’s softball team split two games against teams that participated in last season’s NCAA Tournament during the second day of the GCU Kickoff Classic in Phoenix. The Broncos secured an 8-3 win over Weber State before falling to Grand Canyon University, 5-4.
In the first game, Kendal Manley provided five scoreless innings in relief for Santa Clara, while Elle Merlino hit her first career home run as part of a 13-hit effort. After starter Hazyl Gray allowed three runs in the second inning, Manley entered and limited Weber State to four hits and one walk over five innings. Santa Clara rallied from a 3-1 deficit by sending 11 batters to the plate in the fourth inning and scoring six runs. Merlino’s two-run homer tied the game at three, followed by Rebecca Rubio’s go-ahead single and additional RBI hits from Taryn Clements and Robynn Balmediano. Rubio and Balmediano each collected three hits.
Weber State’s Raina Navarro took the loss after giving up seven runs over three innings.
In their second matchup of the day, Santa Clara lost to Grand Canyon on a walk-off wild pitch in the seventh inning. The Broncos overcame a three-run deficit to tie the game at four in the sixth inning but were unable to hold off Grand Canyon, which remained undefeated at 4-0 this season. Addison Shifflett scored the winning run for GCU after Ellison Schroeder’s pitch went into the dirt.
Avery Seva started for Santa Clara and gave up two-run scores on both a home run by Trinity Martin and a single by Sydney McCray. Caitlyn Golob contributed an RBI triple, while Gray hit her second home run of the season as part of Santa Clara’s comeback attempt.
Oakley Vickers earned the win for Grand Canyon with more than six innings pitched, allowing five hits and striking out seven without issuing any walks.
Senior Mariah Montalvo made her debut behind home plate for Santa Clara, while freshman Sofia Zavarella started in right field against Weber State.
Santa Clara will finish its participation at the GCU Kickoff Classic with another game against Grand Canyon scheduled for Sunday morning.
