March 23, 2012

Score: No. 2 Cal 9, No. 9 Stanford 0
Site: Smith Family Field (Stanford, Calif.)
Records: Cal 27-1, 1-0 Pac-12; Stanford 25-4, 0-1 Pac-12
Cal Leaders: Valerie Arioto (2 HR, 4 RBI); Jolene Henderson (7.0 IP, 3 H, 6 SO); Breana Kostreba (1 HR, 2 RBI)
Next Cal Game: Saturday vs. Stanford, 1 p.m.

Final Stats
Postgame Video Interview With D. Henderson, Arioto and Decker | Postgame Video Interview With J. Henderson

STANFORD, Calif. - With five home runs and a three-hitter shutout by Jolene Henderson, the No. 2 California softball made quite the statement by defeating No. 9 Stanford 9-0 on Friday evening to open Pac-12 play.

Valerie Arioto hit not just one round tripper, but she started the game by dishing out one two-RBI homer to right and then posted a two-run shot to left. Breana Kostreba added a two-run homer while Danielle Henderson and Ashley Decker each tallied solo shots. The five homers were a season high after the Bears tallied four home runs against SEC powerhouses Tennessee and LSU.

While the Bear bats performed exceptionally, tallying 12 hits, Jolene Henderson's pitching performance and errorless defense limited the Cardinal to just three hits. Henderson held a perfect game until the third inning, when Caitlyn Pura singled to left. In total, Henderson struck out a third of the batters she faced in seven innings of work.

Conversely, Teagan Gerhart allowed nine earned runs on 12 hits, walking five with five strikeouts. Throwing the complete-game, Gerhart drops to 20-2 while Henderson moves up to 15-1 on the season.

With the first conference win of the year, Cal improves to 27-1 and 1-0 in the Pac-12 while Stanford suffers its fourth loss, falling to 25-4 and 0-1 in conference play.

Top of the First - Cal 4, Stanford 0:

Britt Vonk easily beat out an infield squibbler to third and then came home when Valerie Arioto went opposite with her 12th homer of the year. Jace Williams waited out her 20th walk of the year and scored off a Breana Kostreba homer.

Top of the Fourth - Cal 6, Stanford 0:

Britt Vonk reached on a fielder's choice when Jamia Reid was thrown on at second on Vonk's grounder. Arioto then sent out her 13th homer with a two-run shot to left.

Top of the Sixth - Cal 9, Stanford 0:

Jace Williams drilled the ball to right field, hitting the top of the wall for a double that scored Jamia Reid. Danielle Henderson and Ashley Decker had a homer apiece.

Next Time on the Diamond:

The rivalry series continues Saturday, March 24 at 1 p.m. However, there is a high probability of Saturday rain so make sure to check CalBears.com and Twitter for updates. The Pac-12 opening series concludes Sunday, March 25 at noon down on the Farm.