CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – Kamalani Dung was clutch on Friday evening for the Golden Bears.
 
Defending a one-run advantage from the top of the fourth, the senior ace fanned 12 batters, giving up just two hits, to hold off the Duke Blue Devils in a 1-0 win to open the Mary Nutter Classic.
 
In a nail-biting seventh frame, the Bears put more pressure on themselves after allowing Duke's lead-off batter to reach second on a dropped pop up. The runner advanced to the hot corner with one out on the board after a wild pitch and things began to look bleak for the Bears to finish in seven.
 
Dung, unfazed in her complete game effort, retired the third pinch hitter the Blue Devils (5-6) sent out on a pop out and then sealed the win, catching the last batter swinging.
 
The Waianae, Hawai'i native, pitched her way out of a frame on several occasions, stranding Duke runners in scoring positon in both the bottom of the third and fourth innings. She only gave up one walk.
 
"Kama threw an outstanding game and Alex had a great hit to score the run today," said head coach Diane Ninemire. "We played really strong defense to hold things steady."
 
The Golden Bears (7-5) jumped on the board in the top of the fourth with a bit of freshman-to-freshman love. Newcomer Alexandra Perez blazed an RBI double through centerfield to bring in Makena Smith from first base to get the lone score in the first matchup ever between the programs.
 
The Bears return to action Saturday for a doubleheader day against No. 16 Kentucky (6-5) at 2:30 p.m., the first faceoff since 2016. Game 2 will pit the Bears against New Mexico State at 5 p.m.
 
For more information on Cal softball, follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @CalSB.