March 16, 2000

Box Score

SACRAMENTO - Cal opened with two wins on the first day of the Capital Classic Thursday night in Sacramento. The fifth-ranked Bears beat Portland State, 2-1, and followed that victory with a 6-5 decision over Virginia.

In the opener, Cal (29-3) managed just two hits in the game. The Bears scored in the top of the first after PSU pitcher Morgan Seibert walked the bases loaded and shortstop Eryn Manahan singled in a run.

Portland State answered in the bottom of the inning on an RBI by Nichole Ivie. Cal, though, came back in the second when catcher Courtney Scott scored on an error.

Freshman pitcher Jennifer Deering made that stand up, as she tossed a four-hitter to improve to 7-0 on the season.

In the nightcap, freshman first baseman Veronica Nelson set the Cal season home run record in dramatic fashion against the Cavaliers. With the Bears trailing, 5-3, in the bottom of the fifth inning, she hit a three-run shot to put Cal ahead, 6-5. The homer was Nelson's 11th of the year, breaking the mark of 10 set by Melanie McCart in 1997.

Nicole DiSalvio, who relieved Jocelyn Forest in the top of the fifth, improved to 9-1 with the win.

The Capital Classic continues through Sunday.