EUGENE– California is used to tough battles on the road after opening the season with five consecutive tournaments outside of Berkeley.
 
Beginning conference play proved another challenge as the 23rd-ranked Golden Bears (17-6) fell 5-1 to the third-ranked Oregon Ducks (25-0) on Friday at Jane Sanders Stadium in Eugene, Ore.
 
The Bears improved from a recent hitting slump, to outhit the Ducks 7-6, but could not convert them to runs.
 
A pair of early fielding errors were costly for Cal down the stretch as Oregon continued its momentum scoring two runs in both the bottom of the second and third innings before homering in the bottom of the fifth to cement the win.
 
Despite Cal jumping on the boards early with a run by Kobie Pettis, the Ducks were able to pull away and maintain their lead. The junior singled to give Cal its first runner of the game as she made her way around the bases on an Oregon fielding error and a single by Khala Taylor She was brought home on a fly out by Alleah Laxamana.
 
The Bears return to Jane Sanders Stadium for game 2 of the series Saturday at 2 p.m. (PT).
 
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