Bears Fall Twice in a Row to Florida, Drop Out of NCAA Play

"The only pressure we had was the fact that it would be the end of our season, and none of us really wanted it to end," shortstop Taylor Kelly said of the Cal softball team's elimination game in the Super Regional.

Never mind the fact that Florida was nearly unbeatable during the regular season. The Bears played like cool customers with their backs against the wall.

But in the end, Cal was defeated by Florida 4-2 in consecutive games Friday and Saturday in Gainesville, Fla., bringing their season to a close one round short of the Women's College World Series.

Still, Cal (43-27) put up a valiant effort in the Super Regional, especially in the latter game. The Bears took the heavily-favored Gators (67-3) into extra-innings before Florida shortstop Megan Bush belted a home run in the ninth to put her team ahead for good.

"It's always disappointing when you don't win, but we were playing a number one team and kept both games within two runs," senior catcher Julie Meyer said. "They've blown out teams all season, they only have three loses and there was never a doubt in our minds that we couldn't beat them."

Saturday, Cal showed poise despite facing elimination.

Down 2-0 early, the Bears fought back in the 6th on a two-run double by senior Katie Vickers. The two-bagger brought in freshman Valerie Arioto and sophomore Shannon Houston, giving Cal life as well as the momentum heading into the final innings.

But Gators ace Stacey Nelson held the Bears hitless after that point. Nelson pitched the entire two games, though she did have her moments of vulnerability.

Friday, Arioto seemed to have her number, going three-for-four with two RBI. The freshman delivered RBI singles in the fifth and the sixth as she tried desperately to jump start a rally. Cal loaded the bases in both innings but Nelson recorded inning-ending strikeouts to neutralize the threats.

The Bears had Nelson on the ropes again in Saturday's game, but again, Cal failed to take advantage. Trailing 1-0 in the third, sophomore Vernae Sevilla led off with double to right and Meyer bunted her to third with one out.

"We had the middle of our lineup up, and we were unable to score that run," Kelly said. "At the time, none of us really thought much of it because it was still so early. But looking back, I think that could've made a pretty big difference in the outcome of the game."

The Bears also combined for five errors in two games, but despite the miscues, the team doesn't seem to have many regrets.

"You want to play every game and have zero errors, but it happens," Meyer said. "Florida had opportunities to score more runs and put the game away even further, so it goes both ways. You can't sit back and say we could've, should've, would've. You can't really look back. That's how softball works."

Tags: NCAA SUPER REGIONALS