June 2, 2005

Recap |  Final Stats |  Quotes

UCLA, making its 21st trip to the WCWS, is looking to become just the second team in NCAA softball history to win three consecutive titles. The Bruins own an all-time WCWS record of 79-23 and have been to the last seven WCWS. Today's win marked UCLA's 10th consecutive WCWS victory dating back to 2003.

The California Golden Bears have been to the WCWS 10 times, including the last seven. Cal has posted a record of 18-17 in the WCWS and claimed the crown in 2002.

In the all-time series between Cal and UCLA, the Bruins own a 68-17 lead. The Bears and Bruins have met in the last two NCAA championship games with UCLA claiming both titles. With the teams meeting four times in the last three years at the WCWS, the Bruins have claimed three straight with the Golden Bears taking the opening-round game in 2003.

UCLA pushed its opening-round WCWS record to 18-3, the best NCAA mark. In addition, the Bruins still hold the record for most consecutive first-round games won with 11 from 1982 to 1993.

The Bruins improved their season record against ranked opponents to 17-10 and 13-7 against top-10 teams while the Bears fell to 21-11 on the year against top-25 teams.

California suffered its first opening-round loss in the WCWS since 2001 when it was defeated by Arizona, 3-2.

Cal leftfielder Lindsay James extended her hitting streak to six games with a single in the first inning and has hit safely in seven of nine postseason matches.

For the first time this season, Cal lost when the opponent produced two or more errors, dropping its record to 34-1.

An error by UCLA pitcher Anjelica Selden allowed Cal third baseman Vicky Galindo to score her team-leading 49th run of the year. Cal's record fell to 44-7 when it scores first. Selden picked up her 26th win of the year by limiting the Golden Bears to three hits. She did not allow an earned run and pitched a complete game.

UCLA's Caitlin Benyi, a junior second baseman, improved her hitting streak to seven games with a single in the top of the fourth inning. She has collected eight hits in those seven outings.

UCLA sophomore Ashley Herrera's home run in the top of the fifth tied the game at 1-1 and marked Herrera's third home run of the year.

UCLA's Krista Colburn's RBI single in the top of the sixth proved to be the game-winner for the Bruins. Colburn has reached base safely five times in the past three games.