BERKELEY – Looking to avenge yesterday's loss, California called upon its hitters to get the Golden Bears back in the win column and even up the series Saturday.
 
After a one-run day on Friday, Cal (22-20, 1-12 Pac-12) doubled down in the bottom of the first inning, as senior ace Zoe Conley and the Bears defense managed to keep Oregon State (21-14, 3-9 Pac-12) off the board in the opening frame.
 
Small ball worked for Cal, which got a pair of early runs during a three-hit frame led off by a base hit from senior Lindsay Rood. A sac bunt and a pair of back-to-back singles from Lauren Espalin and Makena Smith brought Rood in for the first score of game.
 
Sophomore third baseman Karlee Sparacino brought Mikayla Coelho home on a sac fly, after Coelho reached on an eight-pitch walk and that gave the Bears a 2-0 lead, its first of the series.
 
The OSU offense refused to go down quietly, however, responding with back-to-back one out singles in the second that threatened the Bear's two-run advantage. With two outs in the top of the second, Conley worked a 1-2 count to the OSU leadoff hitter, but couldn't prevail, allowing a double off the right field wall that evened up the ballgame.

In the fourth, Conley again found herself in a jam, this time facing OSU's Jessica Garcia with two outs and a runner in scoring position. The OSU slugger came out on top, however, punching a 2-0 fastball through the middle that gave the Beavers a 3-2 lead.
 
Smith, who went 3-for-3, returned to the box to kick off the bottom of the inning for the Bears, and singled to the OSU right fielder to spark the comeback. Sparacino followed with a base hit of her own, and Destiny Blueford moved them to second and third with a sacrifice bunt. That set the stage for senior Krysten McCue, who jumped on the first pitch and blooped one just outside the reach of the second baseman, to give the Bears a 4-3 lead.
 
After working through a scoreless top of the fifth, Conley returned to the circle in the sixth inning looking to keep the game in Cal's favor. But, much like it has throughout the series, OSU got its bats to talk with two outs on the board.
 
The Beavers regained the lead on a two-RBI double and put things out of reach right after on an RBI base hit , which moved things to an unfavorable 6-4. 
 
The loss marks the second consecutive series loss to the Beavers for the Bears and Cal's 10th league loss in a row.
 
The Bears and Beavers conclude their three game set tomorrow afternoon, with first pitch scheduled at noon (PT). The game will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.
 
For more information on Cal softball, follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @CalSB.