Arioto's Homers Lead Cal to 2-0 Win Over DePaul

Feb. 17, 2012

LAS VEGAS - Valerie Arioto demonstrated why she's the reigning national and Pac-12 player of the week as she cranked out two home runs and seven innings of pitching to lead the No. 1/3 California softball team a 2-0 victory over DePaul. Arioto homered in the top of the top of the fifth and then again in the top of the seventh to provide herself and the Golden Bears (5-0) enough run support to edge the Blue Demons (3-3) at UNLV's Eller Media Stadium on Friday morning.

"Everyone was aggressive and hit the ball hard all day!" Arioto said. "Seeing this success throughout our team gives me confidence at bat and in the circle! We have a great flow as a team right now!"

The Bears outhit the Blue Demons 7-2 thanks to Arioto's contribution of three as well as two apiece from Breana Kostreba and Jamia Reid.

"I thought our team did well," junior catcher Lindsey Ziegenhirt said. "Sometimes you have those games where you can't catch a break, but we kept battling. Val's two home runs also helped a lot!"

Arioto's homers were her fourth and fifth of the year and the 35th and 36th of her Cal career.

Arioto pitched the complete-game victory, allowing two hits in seven innings of work and striking out six and issuing just one walk.

"Val pitched reall well today," Ziegenhirt said. "She worked her change and drop for a great 1-2 punch and kept the batters guessing!"

Cal divvied its hits between starter Hannah Penna, who lasted give innings and gave up the first homer and reliever Bree Brown, who allowed the second.

The Bears are now 5-3 in the all-time series record with the Blue Demons.

Next Time on the Diamond:

The Bears continue their work at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic on Saturday with a 9 a.m. meeting against San Jose State and an 11 a.m. match-up with UC Riverside. The weekend concludes Sunday with an 11:15 a.m. game against No. 24 LSU.