March 19, 2011
Final Stats
HONOLULU - After going undefeated through five games at the Chevron Spring Fling Classic, the No. 9/10 California softball team was finally toppled with a 7-2 loss to BYU on Saturday afternoon in the championship game.
The Golden Bears finished the week in paradise at a 5-1 clip, upping their overall record to 21-3. Frani Echavarria, Jolene Henderson and Jace Williams were named to the all-tournament team.
Thanks to classic small ball in the top of the third, along with a nicely timed double to right center by Jessica Fitu, the Cougars went up 2-0.
In the top of the fifth, a walk and a throwing error gave the Cougars two runners just in time for a single up the middle from JC Clayton to plate the third run. Faced with the bases loaded and no outs, the Cal defense beared to get two outs at the plate and then Jolene Henderson fielded a line drive to exit the inning with just one run scored.
BYU did some more damage in the top of the sixth, scoring three times - all unearned - with a two RBI single from Clayton, a triple by Fitu and a single from Caschjen Atagi.
After pitching six innings, Henderson made her case in the batter's box with a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth to avoid the shutout.
Facing their last three outs, the Bears brought out the bats and good eyes. Jordan Wallace walked and moved to third thanks to a single from Lindsey Ziegenhirt. Elia Reid grounded out to second, scoring Wallace to bring the Bears within five at 7-2.
Bottom 1 - BYU 0, Cal 0:
Britt Vonk tallied the first hit for the Bears, singling to left field and then stealing second base. Jace Williams struck out looking and Henderson suffered the third out of the game with a bunt ground out.
Top 2 - BYU 0, Cal 0:
It was three up, three down with two ground outs - Carly Duckworth and Delaney Willard - and one swinging strike out - Krista Hicks.
Top 3 - BYU 2, Cal 0:
Graham singled to short and advanced to second thanks to a sacrifice bunt from Kristi Delahoussaye. Clayton grounded out to short, but Jessica Dugas went to second and Stacie Graham to third on the play. With two away, Fitu doubled to right center, plating both Dugas and Graham. Caschjen Atagi fouled out to Jace Williams at third for the final out of the inning but the damage at been done.
Bottom 4 - BYU 2, Cal 0:
Williams singled to left and moved to second when Echavarria hit a change to short, where it was bobbled, putting runners at first and second with one down. With a sacrifice bunt to the 5 hole, Victoria Jones moved Williams to third and Echavarria to second. Jordan Wallace popped up to third for the third out, leaving two Bears stranded.
Top 5 - BYU 3, Cal 0:
Delahoussaye walked and the stole second to start things off and then Dugas reached then a throw from Vonk at third missed, giving BYU runners on the corners. Clayton singled up the middle with a hard liner to center, scoring Delahoussaye. Henderson helped the Cougars load the bases when she hit Fitu, who looked to bunt, with no outs. Atagi put the ball in play in front of the play and catcher Lindsey Ziegenhirt grabbed it, but missed the tag but dove for the plate, getting the force out.
Duckworth hit a grounder to Jones at second and the throw to the plate was perfectly on target for the second out. With the bases still loaded and two outs, Hudson lined out to Henderson for the last out, leaving three Cougars stranded.
Top 6 - BYU 7, Cal 0:
Hicks led off with a kick, smacking the ball to Williams, who could not get glove. Graham laid down a bunt that Henderson easily handled for the first out while Millett, who was in as a pinch runner, went to second. Delahoussaye singled to center, putting Cougars at first and third. Dugas put the ball into play, advancing Delahoussaye to third, but Vonk sailed the ball to Ziegenhirt, who aptly applied the tag to Millett. Dugas stole second during Clayton's at bat, which ended in a single to right, which plated Dugas and Delahoussaye.
With two outs and five BYU runs on the board, Fitu sent the ball bouncing down the left-field line to bring around Clayton for the Cougars' sixth score. It was then Atagi's turn, singling to left and scoring Fitu. Duckworth lined out to Vonk at short for the third out with three runs having crossed.
Bottom 6 - BYU 7, Cal 1:
Henderson went deep with a solo shot to left. Sadly, that would be the only baserunner the Bears would get with a strikeout, ground out and pop up.
Bottom 7 - BYU 7, Cal 1:
Jordan Wallace led off with a walk. Ziegenhirt then connected for her first of the game with a single down the right-field line. On the throw, Wallace went to third and Ziegenhirt to second, where she was replaced by Diane Leider. Elia Reid grounded out to second but it was not a lost cause with Wallace coming home to score. With one away, Decker walked to put runners at third and first. Vonk popped up to third and Williams lined out to short for the final outs of the game.
What's on Tap:
Barring any rain, the Bears will hop on a bus and head down the valley for a Wednesday, March 23 game at Pacific. They'll head east for the weekend games, but not too far, making the short jaunt to Davis for the Aggie Stampede. On Saturday, March 26, Cal is slated to play Saint Mary's at 9 a.m. and Santa Clara at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, March 27 will see an 11 a.m. tilt against Santa Clara and then a 1:30 p.m. game versus host UC Davis. The weekend will serve as the final tune-up prior to Pac-10 season.
