Santa Clara softball split a doubleheader against Fresno State at home on March 8, with each team taking one game. In the first contest, Santa Clara pitchers Hazyl Gray and Ellison Schroeder limited Fresno State to just one run, while Robynn Balmediano drove in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning to secure a 2-1 victory for the Broncos.
The outcome highlights both teams’ competitive play and defensive efforts. The split maintains momentum for Santa Clara as they continue their season.
In Game 1, Gray started and pitched four and one-third innings before Schroeder came in as relief. Fresno State scored its only run in the top of the first inning on a double steal by Emma Martinez and Alysa Rebolledo. Santa Clara responded in the second inning when Taryn Clements singled, stole second base, and scored on Caitlyn Golob’s hit. The score remained tied until Elle Merlino reached base on an error in the sixth inning and later scored on Balmediano’s single up the middle. Schroeder allowed just one hit over two and two-thirds innings to earn her fourth win of the season.
In Game 2, Fresno State broke a 3-3 tie with a five-run fourth inning that was aided by three Bronco errors. Olivia Hill and Jamie Hicks combined for seven hits and six runs batted in during the game. Both teams committed four errors each, resulting in only eight of the nineteen total runs being earned. Lauryn Carranco picked up her seventh win for Fresno State after pitching three and two-thirds innings in relief, while Cari Ferguson took the loss for Santa Clara.
Cairah Curran, Rebecca Rubio, Hazyl Gray, and Leiora Davidson each had two hits for Santa Clara in Game 2.
Looking ahead, Santa Clara will host Montana next weekend for a three-game series at SCU Softball Stadium.
