March 26, 2008

Box Score

Berkeley, Calif. - Falling behind early, the Pacific softball team dropped a 9-0, five inning, decision to No. 23 Cal on Wednesday, March 26. The loss dropped the Tigers to 18-19 on the year while the Bears improved to 31-10.

From the first inning on the Tigers found themselves in an early hole, trailing 4-0 through the first six outs of the game. In the bottom of the first inning the Golden Bears sent nine batters to the plate to tally their four runs, knocking out six hits in the inning to do the damage.

In the second, the situation did not get any better for Pacific as once again, Cal batted through their entire lineup, notching another four runs to give them a comfortable 8-0 lead over the Tigers. Through the middle of the Bears' lineup, six consecutive batters reached base safely, capped off with a two-RBI double into left-center by Vernae Sevilla.

Cal would tack on a ninth insurance run in the fourth inning to put the game away five innings.

With Cal's offense posting eight runs early and nine runs throughout, the Tigers' offense struggled to find its rhythm against Cal starter Marissa Drewrey, notching just two hits in the contest. Freshman Lindsey Pierce (Camarillo, Calif.) picked up the first hit of the game for the Tigers, slapping a two-out single over third base in the third inning to break up the no-hitter. She would pick up the Tigers' second hit two innings later, singling into centerfield in the top of the fifth inning as Pacific attempted to rally.

Junior Chelsea Engle (Folsom, Calif.) picked up her eighth loss of the season (12-8) in the circle for Pacific. The junior lasted 1.0 inning, relinquishing six hits and four runs in her start. Junior Heidi Helberg (Brentwood, Calif.) threw 2.0 innings for Pacific in relief as she was charged with four runs on five hits while senior Alyce Jorgensen (Los Altos, Calif.) gave up one hit and one run while striking out two in her only inning of work.

In five innings, Drewrey gave up two hits and walked four while striking out two.

Pacific will begin Big West Conference play on Saturday, March 29 as Cal State Northridge comes to Bill Simoni Field for a double-header. The first game is scheduled for 12:00 pm.