CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. - Chloe Romero allowed just one run, and a four-run fifth inning capped by a Makena Smith home run led the California softball team to a 5-3 victory over New Mexico Sunday in the Golden Bears' final game at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. 

The Bears improved to 9-6 on the year. 

"We had some players step in and get an opportunity today," head coach Diane Ninemire said. "Chloe threw a really nice game today. We were able to do our short game along with some nice long hits. Makena Smith had an outstanding game today with the sac fly and the home run. I'm very pleased with the overall performance. We played pretty solid defense, but I really like that we were able to perform the short game today because that had been something we had been struggling with. It was really important that we could get that part going for ourselves."

Romero was dealing in the circle. The junior transfer from Texas earned the win, improving her record to 4-2 on the year. She went six complete, allowing one run on one hit, two walks and four strikeouts. 

Cal struck first in the bottom of the first. After Amani Bradley walked and made her way to third, Makena Smith kept the hot bat going as she smacked a sac fly, picking up an RBI when Bradley trotted home. 

In the top of the fourth, the Bears made a pitching change, bringing in true freshman Maggie Joseph. After New Mexico loaded the bases with nobody out, Cal brought Romero back in the game, and she got the Bears out of the jam thanks to a double play and a fly out. 

New Mexico tied the game with its first hit of the game, a two-out solo home run in the top of the fifth to even the score at one. 

Cal responded quickly with a big fifth inning. After Aleia Agbayani walked, Sophie Medellin laid down a nice bunt to put two on with nobody out. After a Lobo pitching change, Nicole Hammoude laid down another bunt and a throwing error by the pitcher allowed Agbayani to score and Cal regained a 2-1 lead. Lauren Espalin knocked a sac fly to make it 3-1 before Smith smashed a home run to bring home two more runs and make it 5-1. 

Smith and Mikayla Coelho both kept their hitting streaks alive, 11 games for Coelho and 10 for Smith. 

New Mexico added a two-run home run in the seventh to make it 5-3

The Bears will return to Southern California next weekend for the Judi Garman Invitational hosted by Cal State Fullerton. Cal will play the Titans on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 5 p.m.