TUCSON, Ariz. – The California softball team fell behind early and couldn't rally back in a 6-2 loss to No. 21 Utah in the Pac-12 Tournament Quarterfinals on Thursday at Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.

The Golden Bears (33-19-1) got two hits from Acacia Anders and an RBI single off the bat of Makena Smith to go along with six strong innings in relief from Sona Halajian in the circle. Sophie Jacquez had a 3-for-3 day with two RBI for the Utes (33-13).

Cal had a chance to get on the scoreboard first in the opening frame with two down and runners on the corners with Halajian coming to the plate, who laced a line drive to second base but Utah was able to make the play and save a run from scoring.

The Utes ended up being the team to get on the board in the home half with five runs on four hits. Back-to-back walks followed by a single and a 2-run double forced Cal to replace starter Haylei Archer with Halajian, who got the first two outs, but an RBI single and another 2-run double made it 5-0 after one complete.

Trying to battle back, Cal made it a four-run game in the second with some perfect execution on the bases. Diamond Holland stole second and Kacey Zobac raced home on the throw down for the double steal to make it 5-1.

Halajian retired six of the last seven Utes she faced before a solo home run in the fourth from Utah's Karlie Davidson made it a five-run game again. The Bears had a chance to chip away in the fifth after singles from Anzaldo and Anders put two on with one down but a flyout and groundout ended the threat.

Cal made it a four-run game in the seventh on Smith's RBI single and had runners at second and third with nobody out before a pair of strikeouts and a foul out retired the side.   

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Cal awaits its NCAA Tournament destination with the selection show on Sunday at 4 p.m. PT on ESPN2.          

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