May 20, 2000

Box Score

FRESNO - Amanda Scott tossed a two-hitter to lead top-seeded Fresno State to a 2-0 victory over Cal, sending the third-seeded Bears to their first loss in the NCAA regional Saturday night.

With the win, Fresno State (54-13) avoided elimination and advanced to play in Sunday's championship game. The Bulldogs will play the winner of a 1 p.m. contest between Cal (47-23) and Florida. The Gators advanced to Sunday by eliminating Texas, 5-2, in eight innings.

Jocelyn Forest pitched a perfect first three innings for the Bears before Fresno State broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning. Lovie Jung led off with a single and went to second on a sacrifice. With two out, Angela Cervantez lined an RBI single to right field for a 1-0 Bulldog lead.

Fresno State added another run in the fifth inning. Two singles and a sacrifice put runners at second and third and Jung made it 2-0 with a single to left field.

Cal managed just two singles - by Paige Bowie and Kristen Morley - against Scott, who improved to 33-4 on the year. Forest fell to 22-13 despite tossing a five-hitter and striking out three.

"We just couldn't get in an offensive rhythm against Scott," said Cal head coach Diane Ninemire. "Jocelyn pitched a good game for us, but Fresno took advantage of their opportunities. We just have to buckle down and get ready for Sunday."

The Cal-Fresno State game marked the 18th time the school had met in NCAA Tournament competition. Fresno owns a 14-4 lead over the Bears, although Cal did defeat the Bulldogs last year in the College World Series.

Cal has defeated Florida twice this year, including a 2-0 victory in the first game of the regional Thursday afternoon.