The best-of- three game series, a format implemented for the first time this year to
decide the WCWS Champion, begins Monday and will run through Wednesday, if necessary.
Before California (52-14) can turn their thoughts toward another title though, the
Bears must focus their energy on two days of doubleheaders, starting Saturday against a
familiar opponent, #3 seed Arizona.
The Wildcats (44-11) lost their first-round match-up as well, falling 1-0 to the #11
seed Tennessee on a fielding error late in the game. Consequently, the winner of the 11
a.m. CT game on Saturday (ESPN, 9 a.m PST) between the Bears and the ‘Cats will move
on to play later in the day while the loser will fly home.
The Bears came out hot against the Bruins, racking up hits in each of the first two
innings. In the third, it was All-American third baseman Vicky Galindo continuing the
offensive pressure with an infield single , and then stealing second. Left fielder Lindsey
James, who returned to the starting lineup just two weeks back after missing most of the
season with a shattered hand, advanced Galindo to third with an easy sacrifice. With the
task complete the Bears had a runner on third and one out as center fielder Kaleo Eldredge
made her way to the plate.
Known for her power, Eldredge found success through surprise instead, dribbling a
bouncer back to UCLA starter Angelica Selden. Startled by the come backer, Selden bobbled
the ball before making a wild throw that first baseman Lisa Dodd was unable to handle. As
Eldredge made it safely to first, Galindo crossed the plate to make it 1-0 California.
Clean-up hitter Haley Woods came within feet of putting the Bears in control for good
with a line drive shot to left, but left fielder Ashley Herrera reached up for the snow
cone snag at the wall, to end the inning and keep the Bruins within striking distance.
And strike they did an inning later as Herrera showed she could play on both sides of
the ball, cracking a leadoff home run to left to even the score at 1-1 in the top of the
5th inning. Unwilling to let one run set her back, Cal starter Kelly Anderson held strong,
shutting down the Bruins and sending the Bears back up to attempt to retake the lead in
the bottom of the inning.
Selden would have none of it though, and within minutes UCLA was back in the
batter’s box and threatening again. With runners on first and second, Cal head coach
Diane Ninemire opted to pull Anderson and bring in Kristina Thorson in relief. The
black-haired rise-baller made an immediate impact, getting UCLA shortstop Jodie Legaspi to
pop into a fielder’s choice.
Things quickly took a U-turn for the Bears though, as a wild pitch moved the runners to
second and third with only one out. Two hitters later right fielder Krista Coburn made the
Bears pay for the error, with a line drive single up the middle to put the Bruins on top
2-1.
Selden sat down the next six Cal batters in order, completing the opening round victory
for the defending champs and moving UCLA on to face the winner of the day’s first
game, #11 Tennessee at 7 p.m at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium on. Friday night.
Though disappointed with the loss, Ninemire remained confident.
""All aspects of our game were just a little shy of what they needed to
be," said Ninemire. "I feel very positive that this team will fight back.
They've been in this situation before and they're a very mature group. I know come
Saturday they will give it their all and they'll be prepared to play Arizona."
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