May 13, 2011
Final Stats
TUCSON, Ariz. - Even though the No. 5/6 California softball team had nine runs cross the plate in its Friday evening 9-4 victory over No. 10 Arizona, the adage of "Chicks did the long ball," was not ring true in the desert. Instead, the Golden Bears worked their magic with small ball and solid defense to power past the Wildcats in a key Pac-10 Conference match-up.
Cal rained four runs in the top of the first before Arizona got on the board with three in the third. Thanks to a run each in the fourth, Cal owned a 5-4 lead before the Bears unleashed for the second time in the game with four scores in the top of the sixth.
"We came out and really made their pitchers earn outs," Williams said. "We were picky at the plate and did not let their pitchers off the hook. Our short game was on point, and we got key hits when we needed them. We played excellent defense and Jolene did her thing and delivered us a win! It was a great team effort and everyone contributed."
After losing in 10 innings, 2-1, to the Wildcats the day before, the Bears were understandably excited about their performance.
"Today, our focus was completely there and our hitting and defense showed that," Victoria Jones said. "We scored nine runs on a very good team. We performed much better than yesterday."
With the win, Cal moves to 38-10 overall and 14-6 in the Pac-10 Conference while Arizona now stands at 40-15 and 11-9.
Jolene Henderson pitched all seven innings, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out eight batters.
"Jo pitched lights out today!" Echavarria said. "I felt our team stepped it up today. We made great adjustments by using the small game and remaining focused on defense. It was a total team effort."
Shelby Babcock started the game for UA, lasting five innings and allowing four earned runs off three hits and eight walks.
"My team really stepped it up big time and picked me up," Henderson said. "I need them every game, and they came through so strongly today. I think it built confidence in every one of my teammates to win that game"
Kenzie Fowler, who pitched the 10 innings on Thursday, hurled the final two innings, in which she gave up two earn runs. In total, the Bears worked the Wildcat staff for nine walks, as compared to the two that Henderson allowed.
"We were picky in a sense that we were not going to swing at bad pitches and let either of the pitches off the hook," Williams said of Cal's walks. "We recognized that she was struggling to find the zone a bit so we took a lot of pitches."
Frani Echavarria paced the Bears with three RBI off two hits. Elia Reid tallied a team-high three hits while Jamia Reid also connected twice.
"Jamia started strong and got on, followed by Brit," Henderson said of her offensive back-up in the top of the first. "We had a very powerful first inning. Frani came through big with her clutch double, as did Elia with a bunt triple. Everyone played so strongly. We had great defense and everyone picking everyone else up. Lindsey called a great game for me. It was a great team win."
The Bears and 'Cats continue their heated rivalry on Saturday to close out the conference and regular season.
