TUCSON, Ariz. – The 20th-ranked Golden Bears returned to the plate with confidence on Friday night, recovering from a lackadaisical showing in their series opener Thursday against No. 11 Arizona. California (24-10, 1-7 Pac-12) recorded seven hits as Krysten McCue and Jazmyn Jackson both found the plate in game two at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium to force extra innings, after being blanked a day ago.
 
Unfortunately, the Wildcats (26-6, 5-3 Pac-12) ended the night the same way things began – with a home run. The walk-off homer came on the first pitch in the bottom of the ninth and just slipped out of the glove of Bradie Fillmore over the left field wall to seal a 3-2 loss and give UA the series.
 
Despite the outcome, Cal improved from its first game where the Bears only tallied one hit.
 
Poised in the circle, Kamalani Dung (14-2) produced a valiant effort in a season-high 8.0 innings pitched where the junior delivered six strikeouts, most coming in critical moments to keep the score tied. Dung's night was highlighted by a strikeout with bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth against a pinch hitter.  
 
After Arizona homered to open scoring in the bottom of the first, it tacked on another run the following frame to jump to a 2-0 start.
 
"We played a great game after giving up two runs. We fought back to get the tie and really dug deep today," said head coach Diane Ninemire. "We're playing tough, but we can't come up with the key hit at the right time. Hopefully we can come out and get a win tomorrow."
 
Cal capitalized on a pair of UA errors in the top of the third with a two-run half to help out its defensive efforts early on. In the frame, Jazmyn Jackson put runners at the corners for the Bears after reaching on error on a sac bunt, which allowed McCue, who singled to lead off, to advance to third. Lindsay Rood brought McCue home on a ground out for the RBI and Cal picked up one out with Jackson on 2b.
 
Sophomore Bradie Fillmore kept things going in the frame after drawing a walk before Kobie Pettis reached on a fielder's choice. Fillmore bulldozed through the Arizona fielder on the tag out and a dropped ball allowed Jackson to reach home on an error to tie things at 2-2.
  
The Bears conclude the series on Sunday in high noon heat. The contest will stream live on Pac12.com.
 
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