Game Notes

March 5, 2013

BERKELEY -

For the first time this season, No. 6 Cal (15-2) will have home field advantage when the Golden Bears play host to the visiting University of Pacific Tigers (13-6) on Wednesday. The action begins 2 p.m. at Levine-Fricke Field. Gates open an hour before first pitch, and as with all of Cal Softball's midweek nonconference matchups, the game is free to attend.

The Bears are riding a 14-game win streak since dropping two games to Kentucky and Florida in opening weekend. Cal recently returned from the Easton Invitational in Fullerton, Calif., where the team swept Nebraska, Cal Poly, Indiana and Wisconsin, including five-inning mercy-rule games vs. Cal Poly and Indiana. Nearly half (seven) of Cal's wins this season have come as shutouts. Senior Lindsey Ziegenhirt leads the team with a .395 batting average, counting nine home runs through the first four weekends of play. Also above the .300 mark are six other Golden Bears - freshman Khala Taylor (.375), juniors Victoria Jones (.333) and Britt Vonk (.308), sophomores Breana Kostreba (.326) and Cheyenne Cordes (.315), and senior Jolene Henderson (.310). Henderson is holding opponents to a 1.21 ERA with 97 strikeouts and only 18 runs allowed through 92.1 innings of play.

Scouting the Tigers:

Series Record with the Tigers: 51-37-1
Last Meeting with Pacific - L, 13-2 (5) on March 30, 2011 

Though unranked, the Tigers have started to receive votes in the USA Today/NFCA Top 25 after picking up four points in week four. Pacific leads the Big West in pitching and defense, with 2.48 ERA and four shutouts through 19 contests. Last weekend, the team hosted the Libby Matson Tournament, where Pacific took the tournament title. The Tigers dropped their first games at the tourney to Nevada and San Jose State, but came back in their second games against both, including the championship game against the Spartans. Leading the team is senior All-American Nikki Armagost (7-2), who is pitching with a 1.21 ERA and 53 strikeouts in nine games and batting  .286 with two homers, four doubles and 17 RBI. Senior Megan Hom has started all 19 games for the Tigers, batting .333 with a triple and 7 RBI. While batting .298, freshman Melanie Habib has been responsible for two of Pacific's game-winning runs and ranks second on the team with 12 RBI.

Parking Info:

A portion of Witter Lot is available for the public to purchase parking spots based on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans can also park in the Underhill Lot, Botanical Garden Lot and Lawrence Hall of Science Lot. Please check the Berkeley campus shuttle schedule for weekday shuttle information.

Reserve Parking and Seats - Join the Ninemire Blue & Gold Team:

Fans of California Softball can now reserve seats and parking by joining the Ninemire Blue & Gold Team. By pledging $1,000 or more, Blue & Gold Team members receive: one VIP reserved parking pass good for all 2013 home games, two reserved seats at all 2013 regular-season home games, Cal Bear Backer Points and a tax deduction.

To join the Ninemire Blue & Gold Team or ask any questions, please contact Kevin McCormick in the Athletic Department office at kmccormick@berkeley.edu or (510) 643-0189.