Postgame Notes

May 24, 2003

California freshman starting pitcher Kristina Thorson made her first career postseason start and gave up Oklahoma's early run on two hits while retiring just one batter in the first inning. Kelly Anderson relieved Thorson and gave up one run in 6.1 innings of work.

Tonight's Oklahoma loss marked just the fifth this year when hitting a home run (32-5).

Oklahoma, a participant in the last four WCWS, has hit home runs in 10 of its 12 all-time tournament games.

California sophomore third baseman Vicky Galindo has hit in 12 of the last 14 games, recording two or more hits in six of those contests. Galindo is hitting .333 (4-for-12) with three RBIs in the WCWS, giving her five runs driven in for the postseason. She is hitting .400 (10-for-25) during the 2003 postseason. Sophomore Kaleo Eldredge is hitting .380 (8-for-21) with two RBIs and six runs scored.

Tonight's victory was the 700th in the career for California head coach Diane Ninemire (700-355).

Cal owns a 9-3 series record against Oklahoma with the previous victory coming in the first round of the 2002 WCWS by score of 4-2.

Oklahoma senior Jennifer Stump continued to be the surprise catalyst behind the Sooners' offense. Stump hit a solo home run in the fourth inning, giving her two WCWS home runs, which equals her season total entering the WCWS. Stump also hit for average, going 4-for-8 in OU's three WCWS games. She knocked in four runners in seven postseason games.

California sophomore shortstop Chelsea Spencer's two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning was just her second of the year. Spencer also hit a home run in Game 5 of the 2002 WCWS, a solo shot that gave the Golden Bears a 1-0 win over Florida State.

California has shown a penchant for the big inning this postseason. In seven postseason games this year, the Bears have scored at least two runs in an inning eight times.

The 2003 WCWS teams have hit twice as many home runs (14) in nine games as they entire field hit (7) in the 2002 event. The 2003 field continues to buck the traditional World Series defensive trend with just one shutout thrown this year (Texas' Cat Osterman vs. Cal, 1-0), while five were thrown through nine games in 2002.

Oklahoma struggled in clutch hitting situations tonight, going 0-for-3 with the base loaded during the first and sixth innings.

Oklahoma was eliminated from the 2003 WCWS and finished the season with a 47-14 record. Losing pitcher Kami Keiter ended her All-America campaign with an impressive 34-9 mark.

California advances to play No. 1 seed Arizona at noon Sunday. Cal was swept by Arizona in three Pac-10 meetings by a combined score of 14-5. Cal beat Arizona, 6-0, in last season's WCWS title game.

California Golden Bears Athletics

Related News

Players Mentioned

Kristina Thorson

Related Videos