SAN DIEGO – The San Diego softball program (21-28-1, 6-6 WCC) got a special performance from the graduating senior class on senior day, as they rallied to defeat Santa Clara (23-26, 4-11 WCC), 2-1, on Sunday afternoon at the USD Softball Complex.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• On a day where offense was hard to come by, the Toreros were paced throughout the day by starting pitcher Madison Earnshaw.
• While Santa Clara got the game's opening run on an RBI single in the third, Earnshaw remained composed throughout the game, to give her offense a chance.
• San Diego got runners in scoring position in the second and third innings, but were only able to strike in the fifth.
• EJ Joyner turned the momentum back in the Toreros favor, opening the fifth with a single.
• After a sacrifice bunt by Savannah Alarcon, Izzy Owen came through on her senior day with an RBI double to left center field to tie the game at 1-1.
• The Toreros would take the lead for good in bottom of the sixth inning.
• Taylor Johnson doubled to right center field and Amanda Limon followed it up with a single to put runners on the corners with one out.
• On her senior day, Clareese Santiago made the most of her chance and lifted a deep ball to left field to score the go-ahead run and lead 2-1.
• Needing three outs, Earnshaw worked around a leadoff walk and polished off her second complete game in a row.

 
TORERO TIDBITS

• The Toreros improved to 16-4 in games where they register two or more extra base hits.  
• San Diego has won its first home season finale since 2014, when they defeated San Diego State.
• The Toreros won the regular season series against Santa Clara for the first time since 2018.
• Owen improved her season-best on base streak to eight consecutive games.

 
UP NEXT
The Toreros will wrap up their 2023 schedule with three more games at Loyola Marymount, beginning with the opener on Friday, May 12 at 6 p.m. The games will be streamed via the WCC Network.