Feb. 6, 2009

Box Score

Palm Springs, Calif. - Propelled by a three-run fifth inning, the No. 14-ranked California softball team easily won its season opener, 10-2 over the No. 13-ranked Houston Cougars in the first day of the Cathedral City Kickoff on Friday.

The Bears (1-0), who have not lost an opening day game since 1997, scored 10+ runs for the third time in four years in the season lid lifter. This was also Cal's first-ever meeting with the Cougars.

The Reid twins, Elia and Jamia, both made big impacts as Elia Reid went 3-for-3 and three RBI, while Jamia Reid hit her first career home run as a Golden Bear and finished 2-for-5 with three RBI as well. Freshman Frani Echavarria also made an impressive debut with two hits and two runs. Marissa Drewrey started the game for Cal and earned the win after surrendering two runs on five hits with six strikeouts.

Cal and Houston stayed in a scoreless tie for the first four innings, before the Bears broke the game open in the fifth inning. Taylor Kelly drew a leadoff walk and was replaced by pinch runner and newcomer Nikki Schrey. Elia Reid produced a sacrifice single to advance Schrey to second, before moving to third after Shannon Thomas smacked a single. Schrey then scored on a passed ball for the first run of the game. Jamia Reid then stepped up to the plate and promptly notched an RBI double to plate her twin sister and Thomas.

The Bears really broke the game open with a six run sixth inning. Elia Reid keyed the inning with a single that plated both Kelly and Echavarria. After Bernice Masaniai punched an RBI double, scoring Valerie Arioto, Jamia Reid then provided the knockout punch with a two-run home run to also score Shannon Thomas (pinch running for Masaniai).