Oct. 10, 2012

BERKELEY - The California softball team opened its fall campaign on a series high note - going a perfect 4-0 at the first fall tournament. The Golden Bears defeated Pacific, San Jose State, Sacramento State and UC Davis on Oct. 6 and 7 in Stockton.

Cal head coach Diane Ninemire utilized multiple student-athletes, switching positions every other inning. Highlights of the Pacific tournament included three homers from Victoria Jones, a grand slam by Breana Kostreba and a Danielle Henderson homer.

"This weekend gave us the opportunity to see some good things with our bats and people in scoring position," Ninemire said. "It also showed us some things that we need to work on in our baserunning and refining our execution."

Fall ball gives the team's seven freshmen a chance to get on the Division I softball playing field for the first time in a game setting.

"It's a good opportunity for our freshmen to get out there and wear the Cal uniform and see the things they need to do to compete," Ninemire said.

The 2013 Cal squad returns 12 letterwinners and six starters from last year's team that finished third in the country. Both practice and games in the fall allow the coaches to tweak line-ups and positions in advance of the official season.

"We're learning every day that we go out there," Ninemire said. "We are learning how to progress and look to get better each day. Everyone is getting a chance this fall to showcase their skills, which will hopefully enable the coaching staff to see what the team can do."

The Bears continue things Oct. 13 with a noon game against Saint Mary's and a 2 p.m. match-up with Chico State. The two games will be played at Alden E. Oliver Sports Park in Hayward, Calif.

Fans can watch their Bears on Oct. 21 at Levine-Fricke Field in serene Strawberry Canyon. Cal will host UC Davis at 1:15 p.m. and then Cal State Stanislaus at 3:30 p.m. in Berkeley.