April 22, 2012
Final Stats
Score: No. 1 Cal 10, No. 14/18
Site: Howe Field (Eugene, Ore.)
Records: Cal 42-3/13-2 Pac-12; Oregon 32-11/9-7 Pac-12
Cal Leaders: Ashley Decker (1 HR, 2 H, 3 RBI); Breana Kostreba (1 H, 2 RBI); Danielle Henderson (2 H, 2 RBI); Jolene Henderson (1 H, 2 RBI)
Next Cal Game: Friday Versus UCLA (3 p.m.)
EUGENE, Ore. - The No. 1 California softball team exploded offensively to blast by No. 14/18 Oregon by a mark of 10-0 on Saturday afternoon. With the six-inning mercy victory, the Golden Bears take the series from the Ducks 2-1 for their fourth consecutive Pac-12 series win.
After Cal posted five runs in the top of the third, three homers in the top of the sixth prevented any chance of an Oregon comeback.
With her 20th homer of the season, Valerie Arioto breaks her own single-season record for home runs.
Cal posted those 10 runs on 11 hits. Ashley Decker led the way with three RBI thanks to her two-run homer and another hit.
"It felt great to come back with a big win today," Decker said. "Everyone came out strong with a lot of confidence, and that's all we needed."
Knocking in two RBI apiece were Breana Kostreba, Danielle Henderson and Jolene Henderson.
"In the batter's box, I felt relaxed and determined to get something done," Danielle Henderson said. "As a team, we came out today, ready to make a statement. The team came out ready to play and ready to show everyone what we are made of."
Jolene Henderson pitched the six-inning victory, which also happened to be a three-hitter. She struck out six with only one walk.
Jessica Moore started, lasted 2.2 innings in which she gave up four earned runs on three hits and five walks. Karissa Hovinga did not fare much better for she allowed six earned runs on eight hits - three of which were homers.
In the top of the third, Jamia Reid led off with a triple to right center and scored off a Decker ground. After walking Arioto, Kostreba and Cheyenne Cordes, Kovinga entered the circle, but it was to little avail for Danielle Henderson doubled to right center, plating Arioto and Kostreba. Jolene Henderson followed suit with a single to left, allowing Cordes and the other Henderson to score.
With Frani Echavarria standing at second with two outs in the top of the sixth after she doubled, Decker homered to right-center though Papas nearly made the jumping catch on a full run. Arioto homered to left, Jace Williams singled to right, bringing up Kostreba, who homered to center.
Next Time on the Diamond:
Cal returns home to host No. 15 UCLA. The series starts Friday, April 27 at 3 p.m., continues Saturday, April 28 at 1 p.m. and concludes Sunday, April 29 at noon. All games will be played at Levine-Fricke Field.
