March 25, 2012
Final Stats | Postgame With Vonk | Postgame With Kostreba
Score: No. 2 Cal 4, No. 9 Stanford 3
Site: Smith Family Field (Stanford, Calif.)
Records: Cal 28-1/2-0 Pac-12; Stanford 25-5/0-2 Pac-12
Cal Leaders: Breana Kostreba (1 HR, 2 RBI); Ashley Decker (1 R, 2 H); Valerie Arioto (5.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 SO); Jolene Henderson (1.2 IP, Save)
Next Cal Game: Sunday vs. Stanford, 2:05 p.m.
STANFORD, Calif. - After inclement weather canceled Saturday's game, a day off made no difference for the No. 3 California team as the Golden Bears rained three runs on No. 9 Stanford in the top of the first on Sunday afternoon en route to a 4-3 win over the Cardinal.
Cal upped its cushion to four runs in the top of the fifth, though the Cardinal ended up adding on three runs of its own, it was not enough and the Bears beat Stanford 4-3 to cinch the series victory.
With her team up 1-0 in the first, Breana Kostreba had her second two-RBI homer in as many games to up that lead to 3-0. Vonk drove in the fourth run of the game in the top of the fifth with a double to right center.
Things got tense in the bottom of the seventh with the Cardinal behind by just one run and runners at first and second, but Jolene Henderson got Jenna Rich to pop up and end the game.
Valerie Arioto earned the win after pitching 5.1 innings with just one earned run and striking out four. Jolene Henderson notched the save, entering in the sixth and allowing on two hits.
Stanford's Nyree White threw the complete-game loss, giving up four earned runs on seven hits and one walk.
Top of the First - Cal 3, Stanford 0:
Jamia Reid got aboard with a hard-hit grounder, moved to second on a picturesque Britt Vonk sacrifice bunt and to third on a Jace Williams fielder's choice grounder. After getting Valerie Arioto at second on Williams' hit, the throw to first for the double play went awry, allowing Reid to score. On the third pitch of her at-bat, Breana Kostreba sent the ball clear into center field for a two-RBI homer.
Top of the Fifth - Cal 4, Stanford 0:
Decker singled up the middle, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and over to third when Jamia Reid grounded out to second. Vonk easily brought Decker home with a double to right center.
Bottom of the Sixth - Cal 4, Stanford 2:
With runners on first and second, Jenna Rich doubled to left to score Leah White and Ashley Hanson, who had reached on a single and an error at second, respectively.
Bottom of the Seventh - Cal 4, Stanford 3:
Pinch hitter Danielle Miller doubled to left center and Caitlyn Pura replaced her at second before scoring when Leah White doubled down the left-field line.
Next Time on the Diamond:
Weather permitting, the Bears and Cardinal finish out the series at 2:05 p.m. on Sunday at Smith Family Field.
