March 19, 2013

BERKELEY -

After Syracuse snapped California’s 22-game win streak on Saturday, the Golden Bears return to the friendly confines of Levine-Fricke Field for their longest stay at home yet. Cal will begin a set of four home games with a contest against Northern Colorado before opening Pac-12 play by hosting Utah for a weekend home series. California vs. Northern Colorado begins at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Levine-Fricke Field. As with all midweek nonconference games, admission is free.

 Last week, California traveled to the tropics to compete in the Chevron Spring Fling hosted by the University of Hawaii. Cal’s 22-game win streak came to an end in Honolulu, but not before the team took down two ranked opponents. The Bears opened Spring Fling play on Wednesday against then-No. 19/15 Baylor, where they scored three runs against Lady Bear ace Whitney Canion and shut out a usually heavy-hitting Baylor offense. On Thursday, Cal made it back-to-back shutout wins over ranked opponents as they beat No. 20/23 Hawaii 1-0. Rainbow Wahine senior  Kaia Parnaby and Cal hurler Jolene Henderson went head-to-head in a pitching duel, but Henderson was near-flawless, allowing two hits while her Golden Bear teammates racked up nine against Parnaby.

The Spring Fling action continued Friday against Syracuse, and though the Blue & Gold recorded just four hits against the Orange’s Lindsay Taylor, they team scored two runs while limiting Syracuse to only one. Cal entered Spring Fling bracket play on Saturday with another game against Syracuse, but this time the Orange came back with a vengeance. The Golden Bears scored just once and tallied four hits, while Syracuse scored in five different innings to beat Cal with the largest margin of victory the team has lost by all season, 8-1. 

The Golden Bears did not leave Hawai’i empty-handed as J. Henderson, Danielle Henderson and Khala Taylor were all named to the Chevron Spring Fling All-Tournament team and the Blue & Gold finished week five of 2013 season play with a 23-3 record.

THE SLATE

Wednesday, March 20

3 p.m. – No. 6/5 Cal vs. Northern Colorado // Levine-Fricke Field (Berkeley)

Series Record with the Bears: 2-0

Last Meeting with Northern Colorado – W, 4-1 on March 14, 2008

Coverage: GameTracker, Twitter

 

SCOUTING REPORT: NORTHERN COLORADO (9-18-1)

The Bears venture to Berkeley with a 9-18-1 record after posting two wins and three losses in last weekend’s competition, and a 1-7 away record overall. Senior Lindsey Smith owns the team’s best batting average with a .337 (28-for-83) including 12 doubles and 18 RBI. Sophomore Tianalia Fa’asua is not far behind her with a .333 average (13-for-39). Fellow sophomore Morgan Yuhas has chipped in 13 of the team’s 92 RBI. Yuhas hit a grand slam in the eighth inning against UTSA to help the Bears to a 6-4 win in the final day of the Nevada Classic on Sunday. Cal will be looking to get back to its own home run hitting off of Northern Colorado’s pitching staff after going bomb-less in this weekend’s Chevron Spring Fling play. Sophomore Kelci Cheney has made 11 starts in the circle for the Bears with a 6-5 record and 50 strikeouts, but Cal could potentially see time from junior Megan Wilkinson, who has three wins after nine starts in the circle.

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 & SEATS BY JOINING 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.