March 5, 2011
Final Stats
FULLERTON, Calif. -Iowa established a two-run lead, but that fell far short with the No. 10/11 California softball team scoring six runs in the fifth to overtake the Hawkeyes by a final 6-2 on Saturday morning at the DeMarini Classic hosted by Cal State Fullerton.
With the Golden Bears (11-2) losing, 2-1, to the Hawkeyes (8-7), freshman Victoria Jones hit a triple to plate three teammates and push Cal past Iowa.
"I just thought about making contact and keeping it simple," Jones said. "That worked for me so I just kept that mindset for every at bat."
Sophomore second baseman Jordan Wallace waited out for a walk to plate Jolene Henderson while Elia Reid homered for the second time this weekend, accounting for the other three of Cal's six RBI.
"For the past couple of weeks, I've been having trouble getting into my rhythm so this weekdn I focused on just staying relaxed and putting the ball in play," Elia Reid said. "The encouragement from my teammates really helped."
Sophomore pitcher Jolene Henderson allowed just one earned run in seven innings in the circle, striking out 11, which matches her season high.
The Hawkeyes split time in the circle between Kayla Massey - 4.2 innings pitched, six earned runs, five strikeouts - and Chelsea Lyon - 1.1 innings, one hit, two strikeouts.
Top 4 - Iowa 1, Cal 0:
After sending the Hawkeyes down in order in the first three innings, the fourth was the first in which Henderson did not face the minimum. Lead-off hitter Chelsey Carmody put down a bunt single in front of the plate to start things off. Henderson got second baseman Katie Keim to pop up to Victoria Jones at first and got left fielder Jenny Schuelke swinging but then hit catcher Liz Watkins, putting runners at first and second. First baseman Stephanie Ochoa chopped it to Britt Vonk at short but Jordan Wallace dropped the ball at first, allowing Carmody to score. Third baseman Michelle Zoeller singled with a sinking liner to Jace Williams at third but she and the other two Hawkeyes were stranded once Henderson struck out pinch hitter Nikki Gentile.
Bottom 4 - Iowa 1, Cal 0:
Frani Echavarria singled down the left-field line to lead off the inning and Victoria Jones matched her two batters later with a shot on the same trajectory. However, neither Echavarria nor Jones got past second base.
Top 5 - Iowa 2, Cal 0:
With one away, Ashley Akers singled to shallow center field and later stole second to put her into scoring position. Keim sent a rocket into left field to score Akers for what would eventually be Iowa's final score.
Bottom 5 - Iowa 2, Cal 5:
Things did not look terribly promising with two outs in the first three batters with a swinging strikeout (Vonk), and Williams, who walked, getting thrown out at second when Henderson reached on a fielder's choice. The momentum quickly shifted with Ziegenhirt walking and Echavarria singling up the middle to juice the bases. Jordan Wallace patiently waited out a walk for an RBI to put Cal on the board, 2-1. Victoria Jones put the ball into the corner in right field, clearing the bases to put the Bears ahead, 4-2. Elia Reid then dished out her second homer in as many games, putting the Bears up for good at 6-2.
Bottom 6 - Iowa 2, Cal 6:
Williams walked, Echavarria singled and Wallace walked to load the bases. After she had hit the triple, in her next at bat, Jones lined out to first to end the inning with three Bears stranded.
Top 7 - Iowa 2, Cal 6:
Akers laid down a bunt single but did not get any further than second, on a steal, for Henderson struck out Carmody and Keim to end the game.
