April 11, 2010
Final Stats
EUGENE, Ore. - The No. 15/13 California softball team could not avoid a series sweep by No. 21 Oregon with the Ducks claiming an 8-6 nine-inning win in the weekend finale on Sunday afternoon. The Golden Bears (30-11 overall, 1-5 in the Pac-10) held a 6-4 lead at heading into the bottom of the sixth, but the Ducks scored twice in the sixth to force extra innings. Oregon added on two more scores in the bottom of the ninth to take the game and sweep the conference series to improve to 28-6 and 5-1 in the Pac-10.
Oregon had a strong start in the bottom of the first when Neena Bryant hit her third home of the season to give the Ducks an early 1-0 lead.
That homer lit a fire under the Bears when it was their time to bat in the top of the second. Valerie Arioto walked and then Taylor Kelly singled to the pitcher to put Arioto at third and Kelly at first. Kelly did not remain at first for long for she stole second. An error at third allowed Arioto to score and Kelly to move to third.
Now tied 1-1 with one away, freshman catcher Lindsey Ziegenhirt singled to center, plating Kelly and giving Cal a 2-1 lead.
The Bears struck again in the top of the thing with Elia Reid singling to left and then stealing second and then Jamia Reid reached on a fielder's choice. An error at short allowed Jace Williams to reach, Elia Reid to score, distancing Cal, 3-1.
In the bottom of the third, with two runners on, Allie Burger hit her 11th homer of the season to pull the Ducks back into the lead at 4-3.
Cal's work was not over for in the top of the fifth, Jamia Reid singled to left and thanks to her fast feet and a Williams' double, Reid scored. With Williams still aboard at third, Arioto homered to left to return the lead to the Bears, 6-4.
It was yet another home run that completely changed the landscape of the game. With Cal leading, 6-4, Kelsey Chambers homered to left to tie the game at 6-6.
Neither team could score in the seventh, and the two squads headed into extra innings for the second time this weekend.
It all ended in the bottom of the ninth when Monique Fuiava hit a walk-off homer to center, plating Sam Pappas, who was intentionally walked, and herself to give the Ducks the series finale, 8-6.
Jamia Reid, Taylor Kelly and Lindsey Ziegenhirt each registered two hits with Jace Williams and Arioto knocking in two RBI.
Arioto and Jolene Henderson split time in the circle with Arioto pitching eight innings, striking out 10.
The Bears take to the road again next weekend with a three-game stand at Arizona State.
