March 14, 2014
Santa Clara, Calif. - Timely hitting led the San José State University softball team to an 8-4 non-conference win over Santa Clara on March 14.
With runners on base, San José State (13-11) did exactly what they needed to do. With the score tied, 1-1 bases loaded in the third, Jessie Meyer hit a single to the pitcher to plate Jessie Hufstetler. Casey Watt was hit by a pitch in the next at bat, allowing Casey Lester to score, and Kryn Masutani's single through the left side scored Jessie Meyer. Santa Clara starting pitcher Kimberly Goulart was lifted for Ciara Gonzales, but the first batter she faced continued the Spartans' rally. Devin Caldwell knocked a long single to right field, driving in Watt and Meyer for the 6-1 lead.
The Broncos (3-15) responded to the high-scoring frame with two runs of their own on an RBI-double and a sacrifice fly for the 6-3 score.
San José State wasn't finished putting runs on the board, however. In the following inning, Meyer's hot bat continued to spark. She hit a two-RBI double down the right field line to plate Nicole Schultz and Marissa Toy to give the Spartans the 8-3 lead.
Santa Clara tacked on another run in the fourth for the final 8-4 score.
Berlyn Rippentrop (1-1) earned the win for the Spartans, scattering four hits in 2.2 shutout innings. Starter Katelyn Linford one-hit 1.1 inning, while Allison Lang allowed five hits and three earned runs in three innings.
On the day, four Spartans got multiple hits. Caldwell led the team at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. Meyer went 2-for-4 with a run scored and three RBI.
San José State hosts Princeton on both March 15 and 16 for 12:00 p.m. games.
San Jose State 8, Santa Clara 4 (Mar 14, 2014 at Santa Clara, Calif.)
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San Jose State...... 105 200 0 - 8 12 2 (13-11)
Santa Clara......... 012 100 0 - 4 10 2 (3-15)
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Pitchers: San Jose State - Lang, Allison; RIPPENTROP, Berlyn(4); LINFORD, Katelyn(6) and .
Santa Clara - GOULART, Kimberly; GONZALES, Ciara(3) and .
Win-RIPPENTROP, Berlyn(1-1) Loss-GOULART, Kimberly(0-1)