BERKELEY – What began as a defensive standoff in the circle, ended as one of the most memorable outings in Golden Bear history.
 
In a series where No. 5 Arizona was heavily favored not only historically with an 85-32 series record, but in nearly every category on both sides of the ball, California (26-24, 4-15 Pac-12) proved that favored projections only amount to interesting headlines.
 
Behind a stellar two-hit pitching effort from senior ace Kamalani Dung, who picked up her 12th win on Saturday, the Bears overcame eight scoreless innings to upset their third ranked opponent of the season in a 1-0 decision to split the series.
 
A day after becoming the first team to outhit the Wildcats this season since they fell to a then top-ranked Florida State team on March 8, the Bears dropped the Pac-12 leading Cats (39-8, 16-1 Pac-12) in shutout fashion, clipping UA's 21-game win streak. The win marks the first shutout loss of the year for the Wildcats, and the first time the Bears have kept their desert-based opponents scoreless since 2012 when Cal won 2-0 with three-time All-American Jolene Henderson in the circle.
 
The game pitted Dung, whose 2.37 ERA ranks eighth in the conference, against sixth-ranked Alyssa Denham (1.86) who also pitched a gem, giving up just one hit through eight innings. But, while Dung was able to escape the top of the ninth on the payoff pitch for her seventh strikeout of the game, the Bears offense found its rhythm against Dunham.
 
Down two in the ninth, freshman Amani Bradley blazed around the bags on a 3-2 triple to right center to extend the frame. A timely full-count hit from Cal's cleanup hitter Lauren Espalin brought Bradley across the plate to celebrate with her teammates in their penultimate outing at Levine-Fricke Field.
 
"That was the most stressful game ever," said a smiling Dung, who got to pitch in front of her mother for the first time in Berkeley. "It's nice to finally have the ball land in our direction, considering that our team has been competing in very close games against highly-ranked teams this year.
 
"It meant so much to me to have my mom here and for it to be senior weekend and Cal's last series ever on this field."
 
A Waianae, Hawai'i native, Dung's mother Honey Rodrigues, has only seen the Fresno State transfer pitch three times in her collegiate career, all with the Bears. The first occasion was when Dung threw a perfect game her first time playing back in her home state since matriculation in 2018 and then earlier this season when Dung pitched a 14-0 shutout at Hawai'i as well.
 
Even with the historical and emotional sentiment surrounding the weekend, a series win could put Cal back in playoff contention. The Bears sit in 70th in the RPI, but overcoming the Cats, which would be the first time since 2013, could help them move up the ranks significantly.
 
Cal concludes its time at Levine-Fricke Field, which will be the site of a new stadium in 2021, on Sunday. The rubber match is scheduled for a noon first pitch.
 
FUN FACT: Diane Ninemire earned the 800th win of her career against Arizona, also a 1-0 decision.
 
For more information on Cal softball, follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @CalSB.