MIAMI - A four-run seventh inning propelled the California softball team past Michigan State, as the Golden Bears defeated the Spartans for the second time this weekend, 10-4, in the Felsberg Invitational at Felsberg Field on the Florida International campus. 

Similar to the offensive outburst in the first meeting against MSU on Friday (11 runs), the Bears' bats were clicking all night, producing 17 hits along with the 10 runs. Cal (2-2) scored seven of its 10 runs in the sixth and seventh innings combined. The top of the order got it done as Makena Smith, Amani Bradley and Lauren Espalin recorded three hits each. 

"We were just seeing the ball a lot better tonight," Smith said. "It's our fourth game, and I feel like in the first couple games we were kind of antsy, wanting to get out there and get hits. We kinda knew what their pitcher was throwing from the first time when we played them. Everybody just relaxed and swung nice and easy tonight."

In the top of the second, Aleia Agbayani walked and Smith singled to set the table for Amani Bradley. Cal's center fielder singled and a Michigan State throwing error allowed Agbayani to score for the first run of the day. The RBI was the first of two on the day for the Cal sophomore.

After the Spartans (0-3) evened the score at one in the bottom of the third, Bradley got the lead right back for the Bears in the top of the fourth. Agbayani and Smith lined things up for Bradley with back-to-back hits - a double for Smith - and Bradley followed suit with a single to left that brought home Agbayani. 

The Bears collected their third run in the fifth that started with Cal's first triple of the year, courtesy of D'Asha Saiki. After Kennedy Thomas walked, Mikayla Coelho slapped a single to score Saiki. 

Cal notched three runs in the sixth, highlighted by some clutch pinch hits. Agbayani reached on an error to start the frame. Sabrina Nunez came in to pinch run and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After Smith moved her over to third on a fielder's choice, Lauren Espalin blooped a single to send Nunez home. Later in the inning, Cameron Kondo came in to pinch hit and knocked another single to score pinch runner Nicole Hammoude. Candace Yingling then garnered an RBI single to bring home Kacey Zobac. All the runs came with two outs. 

"The freshmen are doing an amazing job," Smith said. "They're doing a really good job of seeing the ball and making adjustments. I remember from when I was a freshman last year that you'd get frustrated if you didn't get on. The freshmen here are telling each other where the pitches are going. They're being really communicative with everybody. They're doing a really good job at making the necessary adjustments to put the ball in play and do their job where we need them to."

The Spartans put together a rally in the sixth inning, scoring three runs on three hits, but the Bears got out of it holding on to a two-run lead. 

A four-run seventh inning put the game out of doubt. The four-run frame was highlighted by a two-run double off the bat of Karlee Sparacino. 

In the circle, Alexandra Perez was stingy against the Spartans, going six and two-thirds innings and allowing one unearned run, five hits, three walks and three strikeouts. 

"She did a phenomenal job," Smith said. "Every hit she offered, she bounced right back and that's big. She works so hard. She's such a hard worker, and I really appreciate that about her. She will throw the ball as hard as she can until her arm falls off if that's what it takes to get the win."

The Bears cap off the weekend tomorrow against Penn State at 7 am PT.