SACRAMENTO – Defense determined the day with California (4-0) entering to its first tiebreaker in at least a season on Sunday.
 
While the Golden Bears limited Sacramento State (1-3) to three hits, two before the extra inning, the Hornets forced overtime, keeping Cal scoreless in the top seven despite recording six hits early on. Cal finally cashed in on its hitting during the tie breaker, with back-to-back RBI doubles to cement the 2-1 victory and the 2018 Capitol City Classic title.
 
A rare occurrence, a tiebreaker puts a runner on second base automatically to open the inning for each team. With Jazmyn Jackson on the bag, Lindsay Rood led at the plate and sounded off an RBI double to ring in the first run of the game before freshman Mikayla Coelho paid it forward with one of her own to send Rood home to bring things to 2-0. Coelho finished the weekend with five runs and three RBIs to lead the Bears.
 
"As a freshman to start my first collegiate tournament of the season was a little nerve wracking," the Tracy, Calif., native, started. "But as soon as I went up to bat, I realized it was the same game I've been playing my whole life. I tried to be loose and produce for the team as much as I could."
 
As dramatically as the runs came, the game closed with the Bears defense delivering a timely double play from Karlee Sparacino at third to Kobie Pettis on first for the first out. Pettis shot the ball to Marcella Kay at the plate who tagged the Hornets lead runner out to prevent the tie and seal the W.  
 
"We played a very good weekend, winning the tournament," said head coach Diane Ninemire. "Our freshmen were the highlight of the whole weekend with the numerous hits that came through in key situations. We also got really good pitching from Zoe (Conley) and Kama (Dung). We're looking good for the next game against UC Davis and then Palm Springs where we get even tougher competition. It's coming on at the right time."
 
Kamalani Dung, a transfer from Fresno State, earned her second win of the weekend with eight strikeouts.
 
The Bears also earned wins over UC Santa Barbara and two over Santa Clara during the three-day stretch.
 
Cal will host UC Davis on Wednesday at 2 p.m. (PT) before it heads to Palm Springs for the first weekend of the Mary Nutter Classic. The Bears open the five-game weekend on Saturday against Fordham at 10:30 a.m. (PT) followed by a bout with Loyola Marymount at 1 p.m.
 
For more information on Cal softball, follow the team @CalSB on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.