CLEARWATER, Fla. – Looking to exact revenge, not only for a tough run-rule loss against No. 11/12 Texas Thursday, but for three historical losses against  22nd-ranked James Madison, California was able to accomplish all of that in one fell swoop on Day 2 of the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational Presented by Wilson, Friday.
 
The Golden Bears (4-3) recorded six hits and a six-run half in the top of the third to put away the Dukes (0-1) 7-2 for the first time in program history and pull in its first top-25 win of the 2019 season.
 
The Bears, then ranked 15th in the nation, suffered a stunning 5-1 loss to the Dukes a season ago in Honolulu, Hawai'i on March 2, 2018 after Zoe Conley threw 11 strikeouts and the Bears had a one-run lead heading into the top of the sixth, before giving up the tying run and four more in the seventh frame.
 
Before that Cal and JMU faced off twice in 2014 when the Dukes bested the Bears 3-0 both times.
 
This time around, Cal took no chances and tacked on as many insurance runs as early as they could, punctuating the day with a two-out grand slam from freshman utility pitcher Alexandra Perez to bring in the Bears final four runs with the first yard ball of her collegiate career.

The Bears have gathered Ws this season flexing their dual offense and today was no different with the small ball effort getting the Bears the early runs they needed to create momentum.
 
Sophomore third baseman Karlee Sparacino brought in the first run in the top of the second after being hit by a pitch to lead off. She made her way around the horn on a wild pitch, a ground out and a throwing error. Sparacino led the day with two runs, as one of Perez's RBIs.
 
Lindsay Rood brought in a run to give Cal a 2-1 advantage after a lead-off single. Rood stole second and reached third on a throwing error at first to get freshman Amani Bradley out. Bradley reached and then stole second base. Mikayla Coelho, who was also brought home by Perez, reached second on an errant throw after her two RBI single that brought in Rood and Bradley's go-ahead run.
 
Senior ace Kamalani Dung held her own in the circle recording 11 strikeouts, two hits, two runs and three walks in a complete game effort to pick up her second win of the season.
 
Ninemire's Notes
"We played seven innings of good softball and that really made the difference," said head coach Diane Ninemire. "We really came out with great energy and then Kama pitched a great game as well. Added to that, Alex Perez's grand slam was good sight for team as we got things put back together. So now we have to keep rolling and we have two big games tomorrow."
 
Cal prepares for a top-25 double header on Saturday, opening with No. 17 Oklahoma State and No. 24 Notre Dame at 10 a.m. (PT) and 4 p.m. (PT), respectively. Both matchups will streamed live on ESPN3.
 
For more information on Cal softball, follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @CalSB.