BERKELEY – The sun was out at Levine-Fricke Field and so were the Golden Bear bats.
 
On its way to its first Pac-12 series win with a 7-1 victory over Utah, California recorded a solid 11 hit day to earn back-to-back wins in league play for the first time this season.
 
Freshman Lauren Espalin charged the Bears (28-13, 3-10 Pac-12) with a game-high four RBI on a 2-for-4 showing at the plate. A two RBI single from Espalin brought home Jazmyn Jackson and Lindsay Rood, who led off with back-to-back singles, to jump ahead 2-1 in the opening frame.
 
The Orange, Calif., native, ignited things again in the fifth with a two RBI triple to open Cal's second five-run frame of the weekend, after the game hit a three-inning scoring lull. This time Kobie Pettis and Bradie Fillmore scored on the play.
 
Cameron Kondo's RBI double brought Espalin home Espalin home and Jackson, who had a pair of hits of her own, rounded things out with a two RBI double to bring in Kondo and Taurie Pogue to provide the final margin.
 
Zoe Conley (12-10) was particularly ecstatic as the junior picked up her first conference win in the circle after seven straight losses. She rode a one-hitter until the top of the seventh inning, but still proved effective with seven strikeouts, two walks and did not give up an earned run.
 
"Zoe pitched a great game and stayed ahead of the count the whole way through," said head coach Diane Ninemire. "I thought she was impressive and so was the offensive effort. We got some timely hits from our freshmen and that gave us the momentum to jump ahead."
 
The Utes (20-22, 2-12 Pac-12) lone run came in the top of the first on a throwing error.
 
Cal will close out the series tomorrow as it looks for its first conference sweep of the season. Start time is scheduled for noon (PT) with live stream available on Pac12.com.  
 
For more information on Cal softball, follow the team @CalSB on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.