May 19, 2012

Game Three - Arkansas Defeats Cal 3-2: Arkansas Post-Game Quotes | Cal Post-Game Notes

Score: Arkansas 3, No. 1 Seed Cal 2
Site: Levine-Fricke Field - Berkeley, Calif.
Records: Arkansas 29-26, Cal 51-5
Top Cal Performers: Frani Echavarria (2 2B); Jamia Reid (1 R, 1 H); Jolene Henderson (6.2 IP, 1 ER, 7 SO)
Next Game: Saturday vs. Iona/BU (Approximately 7 p.m.)

BERKELEY - Arkansas jumped to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, and the No. 1-seeded California softball team could not recover, dropping game three of the Berkeley Regional 3-2 to the Razorbacks. The Golden Bears take on the winner of Saturday's 5 p.m. game between Iona and Boston University at approximately 7 p.m. on Saturday in an elimination game.

On four hits - one of which was a solo homer - Arkansas built what would prove to be an insurmountable 3-0 lead. A delayed steal by Jamia Reid broke up the shutout in the bottom of the third. In the bottom of the fifth, Frani Echavarria hit her second double of the game, moved to third on a Reid groundout and then an error at first allowed Echavarria to score, cutting Arkansas' lead to one. Though Cal stranded just three through the first four innings, after the scoreboard read 3-2, Cal left six stranded on base.

Arkansas split pitching duties between left-handed Kimmy Beasley and righty Chelsea Cohen. Beasley (11-9) started, lasted 4.2 innings in which she gave up the sole earned runs on three hits and five walks. Cohen got the save, throwing 2.1 innings of two-hit work.

Valerie Arioto (20-3) started, allowing the two earned runs on three hits. Jolene Henderson threw 6.2 innings, striking out seven and giving up one earned run on five hits and one walk.

Top of the First - Arkansas 3, Cal 0:

Devon Wallace led off with a single to left and advanced to second on a passed ball, just in time for Clarisa Navarro to double to the center-field wall. Sierra Bronkey drove in Navarro with a single to right but was thrown out at second thanks to a great throw from Lindsey Ziegenhirt to Cheyenne Cordes. Jennifer Rambo homered to right.

Bottom of the Fourth - Arkansas 3, Cal 1:

Both Jamia Reid and Britt Vonk singled when Arkansas opted to intentionally walk Valerie Arioto, but Jamia Reid put on the delayed steal for Cal's first run of the game.

Bottom of the Fifth - Arkansas 3, Cal 2:

Frani Echavarria doubled to right center and went to third when Jamia Reid grounded out to short. Britt Vonk singled to short, but first baseman Megan Pearson dropped the ball, allowing Echavarria to score.

Next Time on the Diamond:

Cal squares off against the winner of the BU-Iona game at approximately 7 p.m. Official game time will be determined depending on game length of the BU-Iona game.