Feb. 26, 2012

Final Stats

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. - It took five innings for the No. 1/3 California softball team's bats to get warmed up, but once they did, there was no stopping the Golden Bears as they steamrolled Cal State Northridge 7-0 on Sunday afternoon.

Ashley Decker and Britt Vonk paired to stop the offense stalemate in the bottom of the fifth.

"I felt confident and relaxed in the batter's box," Decker said. "I'm glad that I was able to help the team out."

In the bottom of the sixth, Cal poured on six runs. Danielle Henderson plated two off a blast, Valerie Arioto drove in two and Jace Williams also contributed a RBI.

"I couldn't buy a hit all weekend, I swear I was cursed," Williams said. "All of my good hits were caught and all my bad hits fell so go figure. I was just happy we were able to extend our lead going into the last inning. Anyhing can happen with a one-run lead so it was nice seeing the team turn it on. I'm very proud of this team, and I thought both Ari and Jo pitched a heck of a game!"

Cal keeps its records pristine at 12-0, going a perfect 4-0 at this weekend's Cathedral City Classic while CSUN tops to 1-13 overall.

Arianna Erceg started and threw two innings, fanning two and allowing just one hit and one walk. Jolene Hendersonpitched the second half of the game, earning her seventh win of the year.

Mia Pagano suffered the loss after allowing three earned runs on nine hits and four walks.

Bottom of the Fifth - CSUN 0, California 1:

Ashley Decker broke the game open with a stand-up double to left center. Decker moved to third when Frani Echavarria grounded out to second, putting her in prime scoring position for when Britt Vonkconnected on the first pitch for a single to left.

Bottom of the Sixth - CSUN 0, California 6:

With a hard-hit liner to short, Breana Kostreba got the baserunning started and scored when Danielle Henderson sent the ball rocketing to left field. Decker posted her second double, Echavarria took a shot to the back and then Vonk walked, loading the bases. Cheyenne Cordes hit a chopper to the circle, but the first baseman dropped the throw, allowing Decker to score and the inning to continue. Arioto poked a powerful shot through the right side, scoring Vonk and Echavarria. Cordes crossed home with a base hit to center courtesy Jace Williams.

Next Time on the Diamond:

The Bears head back to Southern California for a quick two-day stint at the DeMarini Invitational in Fullerton. On Friday, March 2, Cal faces off against FIU (3 p.m.) and Southern Miss (1:30 p.m.). Saturday, March 3 will see the Bears take on East Carolina (9 a.m.) and Northwestern (11:15 a.m.).

Game Notes:

Vonk's RBI was the first of the season.
Henderson's homer was her fifth of her career.
The game started 80 minutes after it was scheduled due to earlier games on the same field.
Cal is now 12-8 in the all-time series record with CSUN.
The Bears went 4-0 at this weekend's Cathedral City Classic.