Clutch Double Sends Seniors Off With Win

With extra innings looming, the No. 25 Cal softball team came through in the clutch to close out its final home game of the season with a win.

The Bears (38-20) pulled out a 1-0 victory over UC Davis yesterday at Levine-Fricke Field in the bottom of the seventh inning.

With two outs and Taylor Kelly on first after a walk, Valerie Arioto stepped up to the plate. The freshman promptly ripped a double all the way to the center field wall, as Kelly raced around the bases and slid into home to score the game-winning run.

It was the third walk-off win in April for the Bears, who also achieved the feat against Oregon and Stanford.

The winning pitcher in the game was Marissa Drewrey, who had a perfect game until the top of the final frame, when she gave up an infield single to Aggies center fielder Trish Paine.

"I'm really happy to get the win," Drewrey said. "I'm happy Val pulled it out. It's kind of disappointing (not finishing the perfect game), but the win is definitely better."

After struggling this weekend against UCLA and Washington, the sophomore bounced back to effectively shut down UC Davis (22-32).

"She came out today throwing really relaxed, her ball was moving," coach Diane Ninemire said. "She got her changeup pitch going again, so that really helps keep the batters off balance. Today was a great day for Marissa. She had an off weekend, and it was nice to see her get things back together."

In its last non-conference game of the season, and last game at home, Cal kept an impressive streak alive. The Bears have not lost at home to a non-conference opponent since 2000. They also gave their three graduating seniors a final home win, after the 3-1 victory on Senior Day.

"It's always nice to let your seniors win their last game," Ninemire said. "Really we celebrated Senior Day last Sunday, but I'm glad that we were able to win two games for the seniors and let them leave their home field with very good memories of their four years, and the accomplishments they have brought to this team."

Cal now owns an 8-0 all-time record against UC Davis, but for most of the game that streak seemed at risk. The Bears had five hits in the game, three of them coming in the fifth to load the bases. But the threat ended when pinch hitter Carrie Arth grounded out to close the inning.

"We got caught looking on a lot of pitches," Ninemire said. "We just weren't as aggressive at the plate as we should have been."

The offensive struggles do seem, however, to have been directly related to Aggies pitcher Jessica Hancock's style.

"She was actually a slow pitcher, and sometimes it's difficult to wait long enough and drive the ball," Ninemire explained. "Its not an excuse, but their timing was a little bit off due to the slowness, because we don't see that in the Pac-10. I'm not concerned about that, but we will have to hit a lot better this weekend when we face Pac-10 teams."

Tags: