3-8
Santa Clara
6-10
Mustangs Split Tuesday Home Doubleheader versus Santa Clara
2/24/2026 7:25:00 PM | Softball
SAN LUIS OBISPO – Freshman righthander Kaylee Davis (above) struck out five in six innings to earn her first collegiate victory Tuesday afternoon as the Cal Poly softball program opened a doubleheader against Santa Clara with a 5-4 victory. Cal Poly, however, dropped the second game, 3-0, despite senior righthander Amy Ross allowing just two hits in five and two-thirds relief innings.
During Tuesday’s opening 5-4 win against Santa Clara, Cal Poly produced the runs required for victory with a three-run second inning that included an RBI triple from freshman shortstop Madi Bohannon (right) and a run-scoring single by sophomore right fielder Maddy Bermudez.
In the circle for Cal Poly (3-9), Davis (1-4) faced just one hitter over the minimum through the opening three innings before Santa Clara cut its deficit to 3-1 in the fourth after a bases-loaded fielder’s choice from center fielder Caitlyn Golob plated shortstop Rebecca Rubio.
Cal Poly, however, took the run back in the bottom half with a one-out Bohannon single bringing home pinch runner Aly Barrios. The Mustangs then went up 5-1 in the fifth through sophomore second baseman Sienna’s Erskine’s double to plate freshman third baseman Leilani Allen.
Madi Bohannon with the run-scoring triple for Cal Poly in game No. 1 against Santa Clara! Cal Poly takes a 3-0 lead into the third.#RideHigh pic.twitter.com/mX5PojN5nf
— Cal Poly Softball (@CalPolySoftball) February 24, 2026
Kept to five hits through the opening six innings, Santa Clara mounted a final challenge during the top half of the seventh, loading the bases against Davis and then righthanded reliever Bree Brennan. Brennan hit Broncos designated player Kyla Acres to force home a run before right fielder Hayzl Gray delivered a two-run single to shorten Santa Clara’s gap to 5-4. Brennan, however, forced a fly ball from catcher Taryn Clements and Cal Poly center fielder A’Niyla Byrd made her third diving catch of the afternoon to end the matchup (right).
Bermudez, Erskine and Bohannon each finished with two hits for Cal Poly in the opener.
During Tuesday’s second matchup, Santa Clara grabbed the lead at the first opportunity with Rubio and right fielder Hayzl Gray contributing run-scoring hits in the top of the first.
Cal Poly, which collected four hits, stranded 10 baserunners, including the bags full to close the third and runners at the corner to cap the fourth. In the fifth, freshman Karina Choi reached to lead off before stealing second. Sophomore catcher Maya Venegas, however, lined into a double play to end that threat.
In the circle for Cal Poly, Ross took over with one down in the top of the second and retired the first 11 Santa Clara hitters faced. She conceded Santa Clara’s final run in the sixth.
Cal Poly concludes its nine-game home stand Wednesday, Feb. 25 with a 1 p.m. doubleheader versus Manhattan.
A'Niyla Byrd ... for the win!
— Cal Poly Softball (@CalPolySoftball) February 24, 2026
Cal Poly 5?, Santa Clara 4?#RideHigh pic.twitter.com/NfdbVHs47p
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Davis, Kaylee (1-4)
L: FERGUSON, Cari (3-5)
S: Brennan, Bree (1)
Batting:
RBI: GRAY, Hazyl 2 ; GOLOB, Caitlyn 1 ; ACRES, Kyla 1
Base Running:
RUNS: CURRAN, Cairah 1 ; RUBIO, Rebecca 2 ; BALMEDIANO, Robynn 1
HBP: BALMEDIANO, Robynn 1 ; ACRES, Kyla 1
Batting:
2B: Erskine, Sienna 1 ; Bermudez, Maddy 1
3B: Bohannon, Madi 1
RBI: Erskine, Sienna 1 ; Bermudez, Maddy 1 ; Bohannon, Madi 2
SH: Erskine, Sienna 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Choi, Karina 1 ; Allen, Leilani 1 ; Barrios, Aly 1 ; Bohannon, Madi 2
SB: Choi, Karina 2 ; Erskine, Sienna 1
