California
No. 14/18 Oregon
4/20/2012 12:00 PM | Softball
April 20, 2012
Score: No. 1 Cal 8, No. 14/18 Oregon 1
Site: Howe Field (Eugene, Ore.)
Records: Cal 41-2/12-1 Pac-12; Oregon 31-10/8-6 Pac-12
Cal Leaders: Jace Williams (1 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI); Frani Echavarria (1 2B, 3 RBI); Jolene Henderson (7.0 IP, 1 ER, 8 SO)
Next Cal Game: Saturday at Oregon (5 p.m.)
EUGENE, Ore. - The No. 1 California softball team broke open a 1-1 stalemate against No. 14/18 Oregon with five two-out, unearned runs in the top of the fourth as the Golden Bears captured an 8-1 win over the Ducks on Friday evening.
With the win, Cal head coach Diane Ninemire notches career win No. 1,100.
Cal outhit Oregon 7-4 with Frani Echavarria doubling, Jamia Reid tripling and Jace Williams doubling and homering.
"We made adjustments at the plate and came through with some clutch hits when we had runners in scoring position," Williams said.
Solid base-running and a missed tag at home allowed Jamia Reid to score from third on a Williams groundout, giving Cal a 1-0 lead in the first. Oregon knotted it up in the third thanks to a Chambers singled to third, which allowed Goodrum - who had also singled - to score.
With two outs in the top of the fourth, the Bears loaded the bases, which was the perfect time for Echavarria to stride to the plate. After fouling one off, Echavarria doubled to left-center, emptying the bases and putting Cal ahead 4-1.
"We were tied and had bases loaded with two outs when I came up to the plate," Echavarria said. "I knew I could come through for the team. It was a great feeling to be standing on second with the bases cleared. Starting the series with a win is great and gives us momentum for tomorrow."
Echavarria then came around when Jamia Reid tripled down the left-field line. As if the now 5-1 lead wasn't enough, Williams doubled to left-center to plate Reid.
No runners crossed until the sixth, when Williams homered to right-center for two-run shot.
"I fouled two balls off my shin in the same at-bat, and then I hit a home run," Williams said. "It was the happiest home-run jog of my life because there was no way I could sprint since my leg was numb."
Jolene Henderson (23-1) pitched the seven-inning victory, striking out eight and allowing just one earned run on four hits.
"Jolene looked great in the circle, and we played solid defense behind her," Williams said.
Moore (21-7) started and pitched four innings - giving up five hits and two walks but none of the six runs scored on her were earned. Hovinga threw the final three innings, allowing two earned runs on as many hits and three walks.
