Cal Sends Seniors Off Victorious in Home Finale

If you were at Levine-Fricke Field on Sunday afternoon, you saw their numbers three times: on the wall, on the field and on their jerseys. Three seniors-Katie Vickers, Erika Racklin and Julie Meyer-all playing their last Pac-10 game at home.

"It kind of hit me in the fifth inning," Vickers said. "It's different this year because we still have games. But it is the last time we are going to play Pac-10 on this field."

The No. 21 Cal softball team saved the best for last, earning its sole win of the weekend on Senior Day with a 3-1 victory over No. 22 Washington.

The scoring started early, as the Huskies (26-18-1, 5-9 in the Pac-10) posted a run in the first. But the Bears (37-20, 5-10) responded in the bottom of the inning, as Gina Leomiti's single brought in Valerie Arioto to tie the score. Leomiti herself crossed home plate on Vernae Sevilla's subsequent sacrifice fly with bases loaded.

The final run of the day came in the fourth, as Arioto sent a ball flying over the scoreboard for a solo home run.

In fact, Washington's lone run would be the only Huskies offense of the day. Three Cal pitchers combined to shut down Washington, allowing only one more hit in the next six innings. Sophomore Brittany LaRosa started it off for two innings, before Arioto came in to throw two scoreless innings and improve her record to 7-3. Marissa Drewrey finished out the last three innings, earning the save.

"This is a really great hitting team, and we needed something to try and keep them off balance," coach Diane Ninemire said. "I thought that maybe if our pitchers could focus just on six outs, six outs, nine outs, they could stay focused and bring their best pitches."

Solid defense behind the pitchers also closed the door, highlighted by Vickers' throw to first after a pop out for a double play in the top of the second.

"Our girls were getting good first steps, anticipating, and making the plays," Ninemire said. "Hopefully today just proved to them that they are capable when they really focus, pay attention to detail, and play with a lot of heart."

With only a few weeks until the postseason, the Pac-10 continues to be a battle for position. The Bears lost two conference games earlier in the weekend, falling to No. 4 UCLA 7-2 Friday, and dropping a tight battle against the Huskies on Saturday, 6-5. The losses only added to the squad's motivation.

"We needed to come out with a win, not only because it was Senior Day, but because we had lost the other two games," Vickers said. "We need every win we can get in the Pac-10 right now."

While her players may be watching the conference standings, Ninemire is looking ahead.

"We aren't going to win the Pac-10, we know that." Ninemire said. "But its not about the Pac-10 right now, its about getting a bid to the Regionals and getting a chance to get to the World Series."

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