March 15, 1998

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- No. 22 Cal pounded out 14 hits for its best offensive outburst in more than a month as the Golden Bears defeated Creighton, 8-1, to capture the title of the National Invitational Softball Tournament.

The Bears completed play in the 12-team, three-day event with a perfect 6-0 record to improve to 15-9 overall.

Senior left-hander Whitney Floyd, who was named to the all-tournament team, allowed three singles over the first five innings to pick up the win. For the weekend, she was 4-0 with a 0.35 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 20 innings.

Offensively, the Bears scored in six of the seven innings to clinch their first in-season tournament title since winning the 1994 Capital Classic in Sacramento.

Freshman catcher Pauline Duenas was named offensive MVP of the title game after going 3-for-4 with a double, two runs and an RBI. Freshman center fielder Amber Phillips also had three base hits, while Megumi Takasaki, Jenny Ackley and Paige Bowie had two hits apiece.

Cal has now won seven straight games, including a victory over Wisconsin last week. The Bears next play at the Capital Classic Friday through Sunday.

National Invitational Softball Tournament
Sunnyvale, CA
Championship Game

California  111 012 2 -- 8  14  0
Creighton   000 001 0 -- 1   4  1
Floyd, Yost (6) and Duenas. Farnsworth, Koenen (7), Farnsworth (7) and Hoos. 
W -- Floyd (8-5). L -- Farnsworth (5-1). HR -- Gieron (Creighton).