March 27, 2010
Final Stats
DAVIS, Calif. - The No. 14 California softball team upped its winning streak to six and overall record to 27-6 with a 6-2 win over Saint Mary's on Saturday afternoon in the second game of the day at the Aggie Stampede. Freshman hurler Jolene Henderson got the win, improving her to 12-2 overall, after giving up zero hits and no earned runs, striking out six. Shannon Thomas was the offensive leader for the Bears with three hits and two RBI.
For only the fifth time all year, Cal's opponent scored first with Saint Mary's getting on the board in the top of the first. Shortstop Rebecca Sabatini had a lead-off single to right center and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kayla Gonzales. Michelle Mounts then doubled to left center to score Sabatini for the Gaels' first of what would only be two runs in the game.
In the Bears' end of the first, they had one hit - a single to left center by Shannon Thomas - but left three runners stranded.
Cal did a complete 180 in the top of the second with one swinging strike out by Jolene Henderson and two ground outs to send the Gaels down in order.
The Bears offense also turned things around in the latter half of the second with inning beginning back-to-back hits by Vernae Sevilla - single to left field - and Taylor Kelly - single up the middle. Elia Reid then reached on a fielder's choice at the cost of losing Sevilla as a baserunner for the Gaels got the lead runner out at third.
With one away and runners at first and second, Jamia Reid grounded out but it was still fruitful with Elia Reid advancing to second and Kelly to third. Shannon Thomas stepped up to the plate in a large way with a single to left center off the first pitch of the at bat, scoring both Elia Reid and Kelly for Cal's two runs of the second.
Just like the top of the second, but in reverse order, two ground outs and a swinging strike out for Saint Mary's in the top of the third.
The bottom of the third began just as well for the Bears with Jace Williams walking and moving to third when Frani Echavarria doubled to center. Williams camped out at third and Echavarria at second for the next Bear at bat, which resulted in a Sevilla ground out to first.
With one away, Taylor Kelly was massively rewarded for wading through nine pitches - three balls, two strikes and three fouls, not in that order - before connecting for a double to left field. Thanks to Kelly's double, Echavarria and Williams scored to give Cal a 4-1 lead, with Kelly stationed at second.
The hit parade - three in all in the third to score three runs - continued when Jamia Reid doubled to score Kelly, further distancing the Bears, 5-1 at the end of three complete.
Cal's defense and Jolene Henderson's pitching sent the Gaels down in order in the fourth, fifth and sixth.
Cal tacked on one more run in the bottom of the sixth when Jayme Wallace singled to right field on the first pitch of the half inning and came home to score thanks to an RBI single by Diane Leider through the right side.
The Gaels were not quite satisfied with just one run and mounted a semi-successful two-out last-ditch rally in the top of the seventh. Esparza walked and advanced to second on a Camuso walk. Esparza then scored an unearned run on a throwing error at second. Following that run, Henderson got Sabatini to fly out in center to end the game in favor of her Bears, 6-2.
The Bears conclude their weekend at the Aggie Stampede on Sunday with a 2:30 p.m. duel against Davis.
