BERKELEY – The Golden Bears were unable to sustain their early lead against No. 6 Washington, giving up game two against the visiting Huskies, who clinched the series Saturday at Levine-Fricke Field.
 
Eyeing a bit of payback after yesterday's silent defeat, California (21-17, 1-9 Pac-12) turned to Kamalani Dung to even up the series and lock up its second Pac-12 win of the season. The senior, seeking her 10th victory of the campaign, dominated through her first three innings of work, moving quickly and efficiently through the Washington lineup without a hit.
 
Unfortunately, the Bears defense was unable to hold off the Huskies (31-6, 8-3 Pac-12) down the stretch and gave up a four-run frame in the fourth to put things out of reach. Cal fell 6-2 in its seventh consecutive league lost.
 
Looking to grab a first inning lead, the Bears tested the Huskies early-on in the ballgame. Lindsay Rood ignited the offense in the bottom half of the inning, lining a leadoff single that set the tone for the Bears' offense.
 
Amani Bradley executed a perfectly placed bunt up the third base line, putting pressure on the UW defense, which forced a reckless throw up the first-base line allowing Rood to cross the plate for the 1-0 lead.
 
Freshman Makena Smith followed with a RBI of her own, placing a single in the right-center gap that extended the lead to two.
 
Dung returned to the circle with a perfect game intact in the top of the fourth, but the Huskies stepped in with a new approach that would soon turn the ballgame in their favor.
 
Following a leadoff single from the top of the UW lineup, the Huskies broke out the bats, plating four runs on six hits, including a two-run blast and pair of back-to-back two out singles that gave them a 4-2 lead.
 
The Huskies continued to strike in the top half of the inning, forcing Cal into its bullpen and pushing Dung out of the ballgame. The senior exited with bases loaded and ultimately ended up with the loss (9-7), finishing her afternoon with one strikeout while allowing six runs on six hits in 4.1 innings pitched.
 
Cal turned to senior ace Zoe Conley in hopes of escaping the jam, but the Bears were unable to prevent the Huskies from tacking on an additional pair of runs. UW plated a run off a ground ball to shortstop Rood, whose throw home pulled catcher Lauren Espalin off home plate, and followed with a bloop single that increased their lead to four.
 
The Blue and Gold offense threatened in the bottom of the fourth, moving two runners into scoring position with one out in the inning, but failed to capitalize and push across any runs. The Bears remained quiet throughout the remainder of the ball game, going hitless in their last twelve at-bats and wrapping up the afternoon inside Strawberry Canyon.
 
The Bears-Huskies battle finishes up Sunday at noon (PT). and will stream live on Pac-12.com.
 
For more information on Cal softball, follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @CalSB.