Bears Drop Lead to Allow Arizona Sweep

Bears Drop Lead to Allow Arizona Sweep

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TUCSON, Ariz. – A promising day turned painful for No. 22 California after it gave up a commanding 3-0 lead to fall 7-3 on a blazing hot Sunday in Tucson, Ariz., against the No. 11 Wildcats.
 
The Golden Bears (24-11, 1-8 Pac-12) bats talked early and often in the opening frame as the team recorded a pair of RBI doubles from Bradie Fillmore and Mikayla Coelho. Fillmore brought in both Lindsay Rood, who doubled to centerfield to get on, and Jazmyn Jackson, who led off with a single. Coelho returned the favor bringing Fillmore across the plate for the Bears final run of the day.
 
Things looked hopeful, but that hope quickly dissipated as Arizona (27-6, 6-3 Pac-12) chopped away at Cal's lead over the next three frames posting a solo homer in the bottom of the first, two runs in the second and three in the third to come out of the early innings with a 6-3 lead. Of those six runs, two accounted for the three total homers for the Wildcats on the day.
 
"I liked the way we approached the first inning, but we have to keep things going through the game," said head coach Diane Ninemire. "We're being tested, and we can't get down on ourselves. We have to move forward and keep going."
 
The Bears were not able to put much together defensively allowing 11 hits and could not find a rhythm in the circle. Zoe Conley (10-9) was given the loss after giving up three runs before Kamalani Dung stepped in as relief. Dung didn't fare much better also allowing three runs, but kept the Wildcats off the board for a couple of halves.
 
Cal takes a break from Pac-12 play as it enters its bye week, but will participate in a pair of nonconference contests during the seven-day stretch. The Bears visit Stockton on Tuesday for a one-off with Pacific on April 3 at 4 p.m. (PT) and then host Saint Mary's, who Cal blanked 3-0 earlier in the season in Moraga, Calif., on Wednesday, also at 4 p.m.
 
For more information on Cal softball, follow the team @CalSB on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
 
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