California
No. 13 Arizona
4/15/2012 12:00 PM | Softball
April 15, 2012
Score: No. 1 Cal 6, No. 13 Arizona
Site: Levine-Fricke Field (Berkeley, Calif.)
Records: Cal 39-2/11-1 Pac-12; Arizona 29-12/8-7 Pac-12
Cal Leaders: Valerie Arioto (2 HR, 2 RBI)
Next Cal Game: Wednesday vs. Santa Clara (3 p.m.)
BERKELEY - With a combination of long and small ball, solid defense and excellent pitching, the No. 1 California softball team exacted a 6-0 win over No. 13 Arizona on Sunday afternoon. Senior Valerie Arioto hit two homers while Frani Echavarria, Jamia Reid and Danielle Henderson all drove in a run apiece
The Golden Bears twice in both the second and fourth and once in the third and fifth to earn the win and take the series from the rival Wildcats.
Kenzie Fowler lasted 3.1 innings - in which she allowed five earned runs on as many hits and one walk - before Shelby Babcock replaced her.
Bottom of the Second - Arizona 0, Cal 2:
On a 3-0 count, Kostreba took a shot to the elbow to give the Bears their first baserunner of the game. Cheyenne Cordes notched a one-bouncer to left and Danielle Henderson rocketed a single to right center, plating Kostreba. Victoria Jones laid down a picture-perfect suicide squeeze, driving in Cordes from third.
Bottom of the Third - Arizona 0, Cal 3:
Valerie Arioto took the pay-off pitch over the wall, just fair in left field for a solo shot.
Bottom of the Fourth - Arizona 0, Cal 5:
Cordes walked and moved to third on Victoria Jones' shot to the wall in right. Frani Echavarria doubled down the right-field line, driving in Cordes from third and moving Jones to third. At that point, the Wildcats changed pitchers, bringing in Shelby Babcock. Jamia Reid grounded out to short, but it was a productive out for Jones scored.
Bottom of the Fifth - Arizona 0, Cal 6:
Valerie Arioto homered to center.
Next Time on the Diamond:
Cal hosts Santa Clara in a midweek nonconference match-up. The game between the Bears and Broncos is set to start at 3 p.m. at Levine-Fricke Field and is free for all to attend. From there, Cal heads north to face No. 15/19 Oregon in Eugene. The series gets underway Friday, April 20 at 6 p.m. It will be a 5 p.m. first pitch for the middle match on Saturday, April 21 and things conclude Sunday, April 22 at noon.
