March 27, 2010

Final Stats

DAVIS, Calif. - The No. 14 California softball team scored three runs en route to victory for the second day in a row with a 3-0 win over UC Riverside on Saturday afternoon at UC Davis' La Rue Field. The Golden Bears, who now stand at 26-6, won their second game at the Aggie Stampede after defeating Sac State, 3-1, on Friday.

Behind a two-hit, 10 strike out outing from Valerie Arioto, the Bears rained two runs on the Highlanders in the bottom of the first to take a lead they would never relinquish.

Cal started its offensive run at the very top of the bottom of the first when Jamia Reid earned a lead-off five-pitch walk. Reid, who leads the Pac-10 in steals, handily put on the speed and stole second and third.

With Reid at third, Shannon Thomas grounded out and then Valerie Arioto put herself at first with a Pac-10 leading walk. Arioto moved herself into scoring position by stealing second base.

After staying at third through a Frani Echavarria swinging strike out, Reid stole home to put the Bears up, 1-0 with two outs. Jace Williams stepped up to the plate and connected on the first pitch for an RBI single to second, which scored Arioto for Cal's final run of the inning.

Neither team could cross the plate until the bottom of the fifth, when the Bears put their final stamp on the game thanks to a key UCR error. With two away, Thomas watched four pitches sail by for a walk, bringing up Arioto. A throwing error at third allowed Arioto to reach and Thomas to score the unearned run.

Arioto and the Cal defense sent the Highlanders down in order in both the sixth and seventh for the fourth and fifth times, respectively, in the game to ensure the nonconference win.

The Bears spread their five hits around with Jamia Reid, Shannton Thomas, Frani Echavarria, Jace Williams and Elia Reid each getting one hit. Williams logged the sole RBI of the game.

Cal next takes on Saint Mary's later on Saturday afternoon in its game three of four at this weekend's Aggie Stampede.