May 17, 2009

Final Stats |  Photo Gallery  Tallahassee Regional Website

TALLAHASSE, FLA. - No. 14/16 California (38-18) captured the NCAA Softball Tallahassee Regional with a 2-1 victory over Oklahoma State in the championship game on Sunday. The Regional title was the 10th in the last 11 years for the Golden Bears.

"It feels wonderful to be NCAA Regional champs," said head coach Diane Ninemire. "I'm just so proud of this team and its effort. Our preparation for this event speaks volumes of our players and their character."

Marissa Drewrey (24-10) tossed a two-hitter to earn the victory as she recorded her third consecutive complete game performance at the Regional in as many days. Drewrey struck out four and walked one as she held the Cowgirls scoreless over the final six innings after giving a single run in the first frame.

"I'm a little beat," admitted Drewrey with a laugh. "But, I just had to try to be as efficient with my pitches as I can. My teammates were awesome for the entire Regional. They played great defense and the offense also did a terrific job."

"Marissa showed up every game and pitched the best she has all year," added Ninemire. "As a player, you hope to be able to bring your best on the most important days, and she definitely was one of the biggest factors in us being able to advance to the Super Regionals."

Cal scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning when Valerie Arioto's RBI groundout plated Frani Echavarria to snap a 1-1 tie that had held since the first inning. The Bears loaded the bases for Arioto on three consecutive one-out singles by Echavarria, Jamia Reid and Shannon Thomas.

Oklahoma State rallied in the top of the seventh inning, taking advantage of a pair of Cal errors to put runners on first and second base with one out. Mariah Gearhart came through with a clutch two-out single to right center field but pinch-runner Heather Kim was held up at third to load the bases. Drewery then retired Katelyn Bright on a game-ending groundout to shortstop Taylor Kelly.

The only other scoring in the game happened in the first inning when the teams traded single runs.

Gearhart was hit by a pitch to lead off the game and stole second base, before moving to third on an Alysia Hamilton ground out and scoring on a clutch two-out RBI single by Sam Heinlein.

Cal answered with a run in the bottom half of the first when Thomas reached on a one-out bunt single, stole second with two outs and scored on an RBI single from Gina Leomiti.

Echavarria (3-3) and Thomas (2-3, SB) collected five of the game's 10 hits as the Bears outhit the Cowgirls, 8-2. No other player for either team had more than one hit and there were no extra base hits in the pitching duel between Drewrey and losing pitcher Anna Whiddon (21-14), who scattered eight hits and two runs with two strikeouts and two walks in 6.0 frames.

With the victory, the Bears advance to the Super Regional to face the Florida Gators in Gainesville next weekend. It is the second consecutive season the Bears and Gators will square off in the Super Regional. The Super Regional is a best of three series with all three games airing on ESPN or ESPN2 and ESPN 360. The series opens Saturday, May 23 at 5 p.m. Pacific Time and will air on ESPN. Game two is set for Sunday, May 24 at 3 p.m. and will air on ESPN. Sunday's game three, if necessary, will also take place on Sunday, after game two, airing on ESPN 2.