March 19, 2008

Box Score

Honolulu - Chalk up another win for No. 25 California. The Golden Bears won their ninth straight game after a 5-0 win over Colorado State in the opening day of the Bank of Hawaii Invitational in Honolulu. Cal defeated St. Mary's, 5-3, in the earlier game of the day.

Cal, who improved to 27-9 on the season, has won 19 of its last 21 games dating back to Feb. 23. Cal got plenty of production from Gina Leomiti (2-for-2, three RBI), Valerie Arioto (1-for-2, two runs) and Carrie Arth (1-for-1, one run, two RBI).

Reigning Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week, Marissa Drewrey, earned win No. 15 in the circle, allowing four hits with six strikeouts. It was her fourth shutout of the season.

A revised tournament schedule has Cal facing St. Mary's tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. (PDT).

The Bears jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after Leomiti's single up the middle plated Arioto, who led the inning off with a walk.

The score remained 1-0 until the fourth inning when Cal exploded for four runs. Katie Vickers began the inning with a single up the middle and would eventually move to second base after Julie Meyer was hit by a pitch with one out. Both Vickers and Meyer advanced on the base pads after Shannon Houston grounded out to the Colorado State pitcher. After Arioto was intentionally walked, Arth, who was inserted as a pinch hitter, drilled a single to right field to plate both Vickers and Meyer. One batter later, Leomiti punched a double to right-center field to score both Arth and Arioto, making the score 5-0.

Drewrey held the Colorado State hitters at bay, allowing just two hits the rest of the game to preserve the victory.

The win also helped Cal atone for a 2-0 loss to the Rams last season on Feb. 17.