The 3-2 loss eliminated California from the tournament and ended the Bears hopes for a fourth straight trip to the Women’s College World Series title game.

Arizona jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a pair of second inning home runs by catcher Jackie Coburn and second baseman Callista Balko off Cal starter Kelly Anderson. Following Balko’s bomb to the left field bleachers, Cal coach Diane Ninemire opted to sit her starter and bring in Kristina Thorson in relief. Thorson struck out the first batter she faced, ending the Arizona rally, and sending the Bears back to the plate in the top of third.

First team All-American Vicky Galindo came within feet of cutting the score in half - with a drive to center - but speedy center fielder Caitlin Lowe got a great jump on the ball, snagging it as she crashed into the wall to keep the ‘Cats in control.

Two innings later the Bears broke out of their offensive slump in style, as shortstop Chelsea Spencer led off the 5th with a single to center. Designated player Emily Friedman sacrificed, sending Spencer to second. Two pitches later Spencer was dancing on third following a wild pitch by Arizona starter Alicia Hollowell, and with one swing of the bat by first baseman Julie Meyer, Spencer was in, making it 2-1 Arizona.

Freshman Erika Racklin entered the game to pinch run for Meyer at first and was put to work immediately, stealing second with Galindo at bat. Then it was Galindo’s turn to shine, or rather, Hollowell’s turn to falter, as Galindo knocked a bouncer back to the mound. Hollowell fielded the high bouncer, but as she turned to throw to first, the ball popped out of her glove and rolled slowly toward home base; Galindo reached first and Racklin rounded third. Racing to recover, Hollowell rushed the throw home, missing Coburn’s mitt and allowing Racklin to cross the plate and even the score at 2-2. (see photo)

The next five innings passed without incident, except for the Wildcats half of the ninth, when - with runners on 1st and 2nd - Galindo made the defensive play of the game, backhanding a Shelly Schultz burner down the third base line, stepping on third for the force and calmly zipping the ball to Meyer at first to complete the double play and end the inning. That would be the last California highlight of the afternoon.

In the bottom of the twelfth with runners on first and second, courtesy of back –to-back walks by pitcher Kelly Anderson (who had reentered the game after shortstop Kristie Fox’s double to the wall in the 11th), Wildcat right fielder Allyson Von Liechtenstein’s flare to left fell just in front of Lindsay James, careening off the junior’s shins to center fielder Kaleo Eldredge, who scooped up the ball and sent a rocket home in one fluid motion.

Eldredge’s hurried throw came in high and to the left of catcher Haley Woods outstretched glove, as Balko dove head first, crossing the plate 3 hours and 43 minutes after the game began, for the 3-2 victory.

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