Stockton, Calif. - The Pacific Softball team split a doubleheader with Santa Clara on Saturday, falling 2-0 to the Broncos in the first game before powering past them in the second, 8-6, as the inaugural season of WCC play got underway for both teams at Bill Simoni Field. Pacific sits at 12-21 (1-1 WCC) and Santa Clara at 5-21 (1-1 WCC) following the first day of action.

In the first game of the day, Pacific sent starter Tori Shepard to the circle. Shepard (4-9) worked around baserunners in the first and second frames without allowing a run.

Santa Clara starter Ciara Gonzales (2-7), matched the effort, working around back-to-back singles by senior Gabby Goyette and sophomore Melanie Habib to begin the Tigers half of the first while shutting down Pacific in the bottom half in the bottom of the second frame.

Santa Clara would strike first in the top of the third. Amanda Delfino was hit by an errant Shepard pitch to start the frame, and advanced into scoring position on a bunt by Casandra Padilla. Rochelle Rivera reached on a fielding error, advancing Delfino to third. The next hitter, Stephanie Fisher, reached on a fielder's choice as Delfino was thrown out at home for the second out of the inning. Geenamarie Bonilla delivered a two-out double to center field, scoring Fisher and Rivera and putting the Broncos ahead 2-0.

Pacific would manage just a single by Taylor Brink in the fifth, a Gabby Goyette single in the sixth and a walk to sophomore Nicole Zapotoczny in the seventh as Gonzales and Shepard traded scoreless frames.

Shepard allowed just three hits and two unearned runs in her complete game, three-hit effort, tallying six strikeouts. Gonzales finished with just one strikeout, but also went the distance for a five-hit shutout.

Game two featured offensive outbursts from both teams.

The Tigers got on the scoreboard first, in the third inning against Santa Clara starter Briana Rios. Habib singled with one out and advanced to second on a walk to freshman Bailey O'Mara. Nicole Zapotoczny brought both runners home with a triple into right field that skirted along the outfield fence, trickling into center field. The Tigers would add a third run as freshman Cassidy Gustafson doubled to right field, bringing home Zapotoczny and giving the Tigers a 3-0 cushion.

Pacific starter Dani Bonnet (7-6) would deliver a shutdown inning in the Santa Clara half of the fourth, stranding a leadoff single by Breezy Bernard.

In the bottom half of the fourth, Pacific again went to work on offense against Santa Clara pitcher Jessica Turner. Junior Alex Steinmehl singled to start the inning and advanced to second as Sophomore Sara Anderson reached on a fielder's choice. Goyette then walked to load the bases for Habib as the Broncos again went to the bullpen, summoning game one starter Gonzales.

Habib was hit by a Gonzales pitch, extending the lead to 4-0 for the Orange and Black. The next hitter, senior Taylor Petty, singled to left field, plating a pair for a 6-0 advantage. O'Mara would keep the line moving with a single to center, putting Pacific ahead 7-0.

Santa Clara would get a pair of runs back off of Bonnet, as Kelly Scribner delivered an RBI double and Bernard singled to cut the lead to 7-2 for the hosts.

After Gonzales made quick work of the tigers in the top half of the sixth, Santa Clara would plate three more runs, highlighted by a Fisher RBI double and a two-RBI single by Bonilla, cutting the Pacific advantage to just 7-5.

The Tigers would add an insurance run in the bottom of the inning, as Habib and Petty reached on back-to-back infield singles. Zapotoczny walked to load the bases and Gustafson grounded out, scoring Habib to bring the lead back to 8-5.

In the bottom of the seventh, Shepard came on in relief of Bonnet, looking for her first save of the season. After getting Bernard to pop up to first base to start the frame, two singles and a walk loaded the bases for Padilla. Padilla delivered a single to right field, cutting the lead to 8-6. Shepard would recover however, getting Rochelle Rivera to fly out to Gabby Goyette, who made a lunging catch in left field to preserve the lead for the second out. Fisher represented the last hope for the Broncos, but popped up to Habib to end the contest, giving Bonnet the win and Shepard the save while handing Pacific its first WCC conference victory.

Habib and Petty each had three hit games in the second contest of the day, while O'Mara, Zapotoczny, Gustafson and Steinmehl each added a hit. Gustafson, Zapotoczny and Petty each had two-RBI days to lead Pacific.

Pacific will be back in action to close out the season series with Santa Clara on Sunday at 12:00 pm on "Pacific Plays Pink" day at Bill Simoni Field. The Tigers will wear pink jerseys to promote breast cancer awareness and prevention.

Live video, audio and stats streams will be available on PacificTigers.com - be sure to follow @PacificSoftball on Twitter and Instagram for the latest updates from Bill Simoni Field.