EUGENE, Ore. – California was able to end the weekend with a feeling of retribution after overcoming a cloudy start to its much anticipated set with the Oregon Ducks.
 
Giving up the first two games in the series without a score (1-0 in game 1, and 4-0 in game 2), the Golden Bears paid their debt in full, plating five runners in the opening frame of game 3 to clip a seven-game string of losses to the Ducks that dates back to 2016.
 
Cal (24-22, 3-14 Pac-12) capitalized on a pair of errors in the opening frame to start its scoring frenzy with one out on the board.
 
Senior Krysten McCue, who started in the No. 2 spot, crossed the plate after drawing the walk. She came around on a single from sophomore Lauren Espalin who went 2-for-3 on the day before an errant throw brought her home on Makena Smith's at-bat.
 
Espalin was the next to score on the RBI single from Amani Bradley, who made her way to second on another throwing error, which allowed Smith to come home.
 
Junior Jordan Fines (2-for-4) drilled one to center to bring in Karlee Sparacino who also reached on a walk, before Destiny Blueford, who worked her way back into the lineup going 2-for-3, closed Cal's run on an RBI single to bring Bradley in.
 
Cal went scoreless through six innings and it became a defensive standoff for the Bears.
 
Senior Zoe Conley picked up her first win since March 20 and first conference victory since March 17, throwing a shutout through the first five innings. The ace gave up five hits in 6.0 innings of work, allowing just one run in the seventh. She walked seven and retired one. 
 
Kamalani Dung stepped in for an inning in the bottom of the sixth, and gave up a pair of runs as Oregon (19-22, 4-11 Pac-12) attempted a late comeback, but the Bears defense held strong.
 
Offensive woes plagued the Pac-12 hits leader Lindsay Rood who didn't get a hit in four appearances at the plate, but the senior lead-off contributed with clutch defense. On a spectacular one-handed grab, Rood turned the double play in the bottom of the sixth inning to clear the bags and put Oregon behind two quickly.

"Proud of our effort in the second game today and it means something to come out with our first win since 2016 against Oregon," said head coach Diane Ninemire. "Zoe threw a great game and Roody had some really big defensive plays for us. 
 
"Lauren has been very consistent for us and has had a tremendous series and Destiny came through with two hits to help today. I also really need to commend Jordan, because she's been a total team player and has fulfilled anything we've needed."
 
The Ducks rallied a pair of hits after drawing two walks in the sixth to bring in their first two runs and then opened the seventh with a solo shot over center, before Cal closed things with a 5-3 decision.

With playoff contention at stake, Cal needed the series to help its case, but will definitely benefit from the victory. Headed into the matchup the Bears were 65th in the RPI, while the Ducks sat in 34th. A nine-game slate remains for the Bears, who will need to be near perfect to avoid missing post season for only the second time under the Ninemire regime. Cal did not advance to NCAA Regional in 2014 behind a 23-29 overall record and a 4-18 league finish. 

"It's going to take everything we have in order to talk about post season," said Ninemire who has been at the helm for 32 years. "We'll have to win the majority of our remaining games, but we have to take it one game at a time. I'm looking forward to our next  games because the teams are scrappy like us." 
 
The Bears return to Berkeley to close their home slate and final outings on the historical Levine-Fricke Field this week with a doubleheader on Tuesday against Nevada at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., before hosting No. 7/6 Arizona in a Friday-Sunday series.
 
The Bears will open 2021 with a new stadium at the site of the current field in Strawberry Canyon. To learn more click here: https://calbea.rs/2VYxoZN.
 
 
Cal 0, Oregon 4
California did not have a bright start to the day after being blanked and giving up the series to Oregon for the seventh consecutive season.
 
The game, originally scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. (PT), resumed at 10 a.m. Saturday, after being halted due to inclement weather.
 
The Bears opened with one out and a pair of runners aboard, but were unable to cash in on the setup. Cal left nine on for the second time in the series and that proved fatal after its six hit couldn't balance things out.
 
Lauren Espalin went perfect in the early outing, going 2-for-2 including a double to lead off the second frame.
 
Krysten McCue also added a pair of hits in her three chances at the plate to keep the Bears in play.
 
Zoe Conley picked up her 14th loss of the season giving up four hits and two earned runs in 3.0 innings of work. She recorded a pair of strikeouts in the effort.
 
Oregon opened with runs in the bottom of the first and third innings on an RBI triple and homer, respectively. The Ducks added another solo shot and an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth for some insurance.
 
For more information on Cal softball, follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @CalSB.