SALT LAKE CITY – The Bears-Utes matchup was anything but a cake walk for either side.
 
The Bears outhit the Utes in all three games, but Utah was able to overcome deficits and hold off aggressive late scores to win the first pair of contests in the Pac-12 opener.
 
And although the ledger favored Utah (13-14, 2-1 Pac-12) for the series, California (19-9, 1-2 Pac-12) found favor on getaway-game day behind 11 hits and a pair of home runs, including Destiny Blueford's walk-off shot in the top of the eighth to pull in a 8-7 victory.
 
In a game that included four lead changes and became a staff day for the Bears, was highlighted by staunch offense from sophomore Mikayla Coelho who led at the plate with three runs and three hits, in four at-bats.
 
Clinch hitting from junior Jordan Fines who collected a pair of RBI singles in the top of the third and fifth to keep the Bears momentum bring Coelho home on both occasions and tie things at 4-4.
 
Utah regained the lead on a two RBI double in the fifth, but Cal kept the Utes off the board the final three innings.
 
Coelho kept the Bears in play after a clutch long shot in the top of sixth to tie things at 7-7.
 
While Cal cleared the bullpen in the effort, Zoe Conley (5-5) threw 3.2 innings for the win. The senior gave up three hits, but no runs.
 
Cal returns to action with a midweek game at Sacramento State on March 20 at 4 p.m. (PT) before its official home opener against Stanford in a Saturday-Monday series.
 
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