April 28, 2012

Final Stats

Score: No. 1 California 8, No. 14/15 UCLA 0
Site: Levine-Fricke Field (Berkeley, Calif.)
Records: Cal 44-3, 15-2 Pac-12; UCLA 33-14, 9-8 Pac-12)
Cal Leaders: Jolene Henderson (1 H, 2 RBI/2.0 IP, Save); Jamia Reid (2 H); Valerie Arioto (4.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 4 SO)
Next Cal Game: Sunday vs. UCLA (Noon)

BERKELEY - Thanks to six runs in the bottom of the fifth and a wild pitch in the sixth, the No. 1 California softball mercied No. 14/15 UCLA 8-0 in six innings on Saturday afternoon at Levine-Fricke Field. Clinching the series victory, the Golden Bears improve to 44-3 overall and 15-2 in the Pac-12 while the Bruins drop their second consecutive decision to fall to 33-14 and 9-8 in conference play.

Errors and poor plate play plagued the Bruins for UCLA accumulated three errors and gave up two runs on one passed ball and the game-ending run on a wild pitch. Jamia Reid led the Bears with two hits while Jolene Henderson drove in a game-best two runs.

Valerie Arioto (19-2) pitched four innings of scoreless ball in which she fanned four and gave up four hits.

Jolene Henderson notched her fourth save of the season, pitching two innings with only two hits. Henderson is now tied for second on the single-season saves list - one shy of tying for first - and moves into third in the career saves with eight. Kristina Thorson holds not only the saves season record (five) but also the career record (12).

Jessica Hall (16-9) - who had tied her personal high of 11 strikeouts the day before - suffered the loss after she gave up three earned runs on seven hits and four walks. For the second consecutive game, however, she notched a double-digit strikeout number, fanning 10 Bears. Ally Carda pitched the final 1.1 innings, including the final run on the wild pitch.

Bottom of the Third - UCLA 0, Cal 1:

Frani Echavarria notched her 12th double of the year with a shot to center. Echavarria went to second when Jamia Reid laid down a bunt on a dime and then to the third when the ensuing throw from third baseman Stephany LaRosa bounded into foul territory.

Bottom of the Fifth - UCLA 0, Cal 7:

Jamia Reid doubled just fair down the left-field line and Valerie Arioto walked to put runners at first and second with one out for Jace Williams. On the first pitch of the at-bat, Williams doubled to left-center, scoring Reid. With the bases loaded - Arioto at third, Williams at second and Danielle Henderson at first after walking - Cheyenne Cordes grounded to third base, but catcher Alyssa Tiumalu dropped the ball, allowing Arioto to score. Jolene Henderson singled up the middle, plating Williams and her sister. Cordes and the elder Henderson both scored on a passed ball.

Bottom of the Sixth - UCLA 0, Cal 8:

Stepping into the DP role - Breana Kostreba doubled to right and was replaced by Ashley Decker at second. After a long foul ball into the left-field stands, Arioto took a shot to the leg. Decker went to third and Arioto to second when Williams grounded out to first. Carda hurled a wild pitch and Decker beat the throw and avoided the tag to score the final run.

Next Time on the Diamond:

Cal and UCLA close their series Sunday at noon. Prior to the game, Bebe Wiggs - the team's adopted teammate - will be honored and throw out the first pitch. To read how Bebe has affected the Bears, please click here.

Help Val Hit Her Community Service Goal:

All season, Valerie Arioto and her Golden Bears have been collecting unopened toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner and body wash to donate to a local women's shelter. At each of the remaining home games, bring unopened toiletries to add to the Golden Bears' collection to help us hit our goal of 1,000 pieces!