California Golden Bears Athletics
California
UC Riverside
No. 1/3 Bears Best SJSU 7-0 and Riverside 10-0
2/18/2012 12:00 PM | Softball
Feb. 18, 2012
HENDERSON, Nev. - A pair of California teams could not overpower the No. 1/3 California softball team for the Golden Bears notched a 7-0 win over San Jose State and tallied a 10-0 victory against UC Riverside on Saturday morning.
"The team came out strong today!" Jamia Reid said. "What is so good about this team is everyone on this team can make a difference in the game. We all have each others' backs, we pick each other up. I can always count on everyone before and after me in the line-up."
In total, the three Cal pitchers held the opposition to a combined five hits. On the other side of the diamond, the Bears outscored their opponents 17-0.
With the pair of wins, Cal improves to 7-0 overall and 3-0 at UNLV's Louisville Slugger Desert Classic.
San Jose State 0, California 7:
The Bears scored three runs in the bottom of the first, two in the second and another two in the fifth en route to the win.
Valerie Arioto homered to pace the Bears with four RBI while leadoff hitter Jamia Reid led Cal with three hits. Jolene Henderson pitched a seven-inning two-hitter and crossed home plate twice. She fanned 13 batters, equaling the number of strikeouts she had accumulated in her first three appearances combined.
"Jo gave another great pitching performance and everyone followed suit and came up with big plays and timely hits," Echavarria said. "We definitely are a special group because everyone works together and we push each other to compete throughout the game."
In the top of the first, Jamia Reid singled to third and Britt Vonk put down a bunt single before Arioto sent her sixth homer of the year flying for a three-run shot.
Jolene Henderson singled to center, moved to second on a Frani Echavarria ground out, to third on a Jamia Ried single and then finally home on a muffed throw by the Spartan shortstop. Arioto plated Reid with a two-out single to center.
For the Bears' final two runs of the game, an Echavarria double to left center scored Jolene Henderson and then Echavarria came home on a wild pitch after advancing to third on a Jamia Reid single.
UC Riverside 0, California 10:
The Bears scored a stellar six runs in the bottom of the sixth - powered by a three-run homer from Cheyenne Cordes for her first career home run. Also homering against the Highlanders was Danielle Henderson.
"I was happy to get a hit and be able to contribute to the team rally," Danielle Henderson said. "Our team was on a huge roll and I was just trying to keep the momentum going."
Valerie Arioto chipped in three RBI of her own with her second homer of the day.
Valerie Arioto earned the win with four-innings of scoreless work, striking out five and allowing just five hits. Arianna Erceg closed the game, facing the minimum in the top of the fifth.
Next Time on the Diamond:
The Bears close out their Vegas trip with an 11:15 a.m. game against No. 24 LSU on Sunday morning. The game will take place on field three at the Stephanie Lynn Craig Park in Henderson, Nev.
