BERKELEY – California heads to Tempe, Arizona this week for a scorcher.
 
Not speaking just of a competitive conference matchup versus the 22nd-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils, but of temperatures set to reach 105 degrees Fahrenheit over the weekend series.
 
The series that opens on Friday at 5 p.m. (PT) will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network, with live stats available on CalBears.com. Saturday's game will also begin at 5 p.m. and game three to close the series on Sunday is slated for a 3 p.m. start.
 
The heat will be on the Golden Bears (27-19, 3-14 Pac-12) in more than one way as they search for their first Pac-12 win since sweeping Stanford in late March.
 
Against the backdrop of the most competitive softball conference in the NCAA, Cal has been swept in five league series and has not been able to topple a ranked opponent yet this season.
 
The Bears, however, displayed some power at the plate in their final game against then No. 8 Washington outhitting the Huskies 9-7. Cal also limited Washington, which holds a .319 batting average on the year, to .269 in its Sunday matchup despite falling 3-2 and allowing another sweep in league play.
 
Junior Jazmyn Jackson remains at the top of the league chart with 16 doubles and leads Cal with a .349 average at the dish.
 
In the all-time series with ASU, Cal holds a 68-55 lead, but haven't won a series since 2012, giving up all three games in both 2013 and 2014. The Bears were also run-ruled in a 9-1 decision in the teams' last meeting.
 
SCOUTING ARIZONA STATE
The Sun Devils hold a 28-16 overall record, with a 7-11 league record.
 
With four starters batting over .300, Arizona State will be difficult defend. Led by Chelsea Gonzales, who averages .365 at the dish, the Sun Devils have collectively batted .280 while limiting opponents to a .231 batting percentage.
 
The team has collected 46 homers, with Gonzales responsible for 10, Ulufa Leilua (.276) nine and Sashel Placios (.303) collecting eight. Five additional members for the Sun Devils have sent at least two beyond the fences this season.
 
Gonzales also leads the team with 34 runs and 42 RBIs, but takes her time getting around the bases with no stolen bases or attempts yet this season.
 
Backing at the plate for ASU is Taylor Becerra who is batting a .348 and has collected 24 runs and 47 hits.
 
In the circle, junior Breanna Macha leads the corps with a 1.67 ERA that ranks fifth in the conference, currently. Macha pitched a couple of innings in game two of last year's series in a closely-contested 7-6 win for the Bears. It was her lone appearance in the series.
 
If the Bears can get it done on defense, placing similar limitations on the Sun Devils as they did in game three against the Huskies a week earlier, the team could return home with more than just a nice tan.
 
For more information on Cal softball follow the team @CalSB on Twitter and Instagram and like the Cal Softball page on Facebook.