Chelsea Spencer

Cal’s ability to stay consistent against tougher competition will be put to the test against the Missouri Tigers as the quest to become national champions begins.

The Bears have been a team that has shown the ability to fight their way back into games, but a five-run first inning by the Utes was the beginning of the end for Cal.

The sixth-ranked Bears are set to play the third-ranked Utah Utes in the quarterfinals of the first annual Pac-12 softball tournament.

Even though the 33-18-1 Bears will remain in Tucson as the sixth seed facing Utah in the inaugural Pac-12 softball tournament, Cal concluded its regular season on a high note, winning two of three against the Arizona Wildcats.

Cal will prepare to defend Levine-Fricke Field once more in a three-game series against the Oregon Ducks.

Cal is set to face both Miami (Ohio) and Villanova twice this weekend at the DeMarini Invitational before taking on UC Davis.

Cal finished the tournament undefeated. The blue and gold also extended their winning streak to an impressive nine games.

The Bears, who finished last season with a record of 28-27-1, will take on San Diego, Loyola Marymount, Cal State Fullerton and Utah State in the 2023 edition of the tournament.

Softball is back for three weekend series in a row, starting in San Mateo and San Jose. The Bears take on new and familiar teams that include Cal State East Bay, College of San Mateo, West Valley College and San Jose State.

With vocal Makena Smith at first base, the Bears’ energy going into this three-game series in Los Angeles seemed promising.