April 13, 2011
Final Stats
BERKELEY - The No. 13 California softball team continued its dominance of the cross-town rivalry with Saint Mary's, downing the Gaels, 9-1, on Wednesday afternoon. With the run rule win, the Golden Bears improve to 25-8 overall and 47-0 in the all-time series with Saint Mary's while the Gales drop to 5-17.
The Bears knocked in five runs in the bottom of the first and added two in the second to remain in control. Saint Mary's got on the board in the top of the fifth but the Gaels would not have any more at bats thanks to an RBI single by Alex Robben to give the Bears the needed eight-run lead.
Jolene Henderson earned the win, pitching the first four innings, striking out seven and giving up three hits. Arianna Erceg pitched the top of the fifth. Jessica Lemmon starter the game but lasted 0.1 innings before Audrianna Solari came in, allowing six earned runs.
Ashley Decker paced the Bears in hits with two while Britt Vonk scored a team-high three runs. Victoria Jones led Cal with two RBI. In all, 15 Bears saw time on the field.
Bottom 1 - Cal 5, SMC 0:
Lemmon gave up three consecutive walks - Vonk, Jace Williams and Frani Echavarria - before Saint Mary's head coach Jessica Hanaseth-Rodgers pulled her to bring in Solari. Jones got her two RBI in the next at bat with a single to center, plating Vonk and Williams. With Echavarria at third and Jones at second, with the pair moving on the throw, Decker singled to first to score Echavarria.
A double steal gave the Bears their fifth run with Jones crossing the plate. For the final run of the first, Lindsey Ziegenhirt singled to center to score Decker.
Bottom 2 - Cal 7, SMC 0:
To start the top of the second with a 5-0 lead, Jamia Reid singled to second and stole second. Vonk walked, brining Williams to the plate, where she doubled to the wall in left, plating Reid and moving Vonk to third. Echavarria flied out to center, and Vonk came home after tagging up with the throw home nailing her in the back. Decker got caught in the bad end of a run down to end the inning with Cal up, 7-0.
Bottom 4 - Cal 8, SMC 0:
Cal's run in the fourth came courtesy a Diane Leider single, which scored Vonk, who had tripled.
Top 5 - Cal 8, SMC 1:
In the top of the fifth, Smith doubled to the wall in center, bringing Sabatini around to score.
Bottom 5 - Cal 9, SMC 1:
With Decker at first, pinch running for Cassandra Vega, and Taylor Vincent at first, Decker singled to score Decker and close the game.
What's Next:
The Wednesday game kicks off an 11-game homestand for the Bears that continues with three games against Oregon. The Ducks fly south for a 3 p.m. tilt on Friday, April 15. Saturday, April 16 will see the Bears and Ducks square off at 1 p.m. before concluding the series Sunday at noon.
