The Cal softball team jumped on UA early Saturday and held on to win by an 8-6 score for the second consecutive night at Hillenbrand Stadium.
With the loss, UA (27-24, 5-18) fell into last place in the Pac-12 and is assured of playing in the No. 8 vs. No. 9 game β against ASU or Oregon State β on Wednesday in the opening game of the inaugural Pac-12 Tournament at Hillenbrand.
The winner of the 8-9 game has to play a quarterfinal contest against No. 1 seed UCLA β which is 50-4, has a 23-game winning streak and is ranked No. 2 nationally.
California left fielder Hope Alley (15) misplays a towering fly ball from Arizonaβs Izzy Pacho (15) allowing a run to score from first in the sixth inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium., Tucson, Ariz., May 6, 2023.
The Golden BearsΒ (33-17-1, 9-13-1) scored a run in the first inning, two in the second and three more in the fourth to go up 6-0 Saturday. UA scored three times in the fourth to make it 6-3, but Cal added a pair of runs in the sixth to make it 8-3.
The Wildcats scored twice in the sixth to cut the deficit back to three, then crept closer with a Devyn Netz solo homer in the seventh. But Blaise Biringer grounded out to end the game.
Biringer was 3 for 4, while Netz and Logan Cole each had two hits. Izzy Pacho had a two-run single that got UA on the board in the fourth.
Arizona left fielder Dakota Kennedy (4) canβt catch up to blast over her head by Calβs Acacia Anders (13) that nearly cleared the fence in the first inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium., Tucson, Ariz., May 6, 2023.
Netz's homer was her team-leading 14th of the season.
Cal leadoff hitter Tatum Anzaldo opened the game with a homer and added a two-run shot in the second to make it 3-0. She finished 3 for 3 with three runs scored and three RBIs.
UA starter Sydney Somerndike (4-2) took the loss, allowing three runs on five hits in two innings.
The teams wrap up the three-game series and the regular season at 2 p.m. Sunday on Pac-12 Arizona.Β
Arizona Softball coach Caitlin Lowe discusses what she wants to see over the next few weeks from her team as they not only try to put an end to a 10-game Pac-12 losing streak, but also get on track to make a run toward the postseason. Lowe spoke to local media April 18, 2023 at Mike Candrea Field at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium. Video by Devin Homer/Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Photos: Arizona gets behind early, can't catch up in 8-6 loss to Cal, Pac 12 softball
University of Arizona vs Cal, softball
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The entire umpire crew surrounds Arizona head coach Caitlin Lowe as she reacts after her appeal for a review on a play at first was rejected, ending the Wildcat half of the third against Cal in their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., May 6, 2023.
University of Arizona vs Cal, softball
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California left fielder Hope Alley (15) misplays a towering fly ball from Arizonaβs Izzy Pacho (15) allowing a run to score from first in the sixth inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium., Tucson, Ariz., May 6, 2023.
University of Arizona vs Cal, softball
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Arizona second baseman Allie Skaggs gets the defense straight with right fielder Tayler Biehl between pitches in the first inning against Cal in their Pac-12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium on May 6, 2023.
University of Arizona vs Cal, softball
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Californiaβs Tatum Anzaldo (3) comes home after leading off the game with a solo homer in the first inning against Arizona at Hillenbrand Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., May 6, 2023.
University of Arizona vs Cal, softball
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Arizona left fielder Dakota Kennedy (4) canβt catch up to blast over her head by Calβs Acacia Anders (13) that nearly cleared the fence in the first inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium., Tucson, Ariz., May 6, 2023.
University of Arizona vs Cal, softball
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Californiaβs Kennedy Thomas (9) easily beats the throw under Arizona second baseman Allie Skaggs (9) for a stolen base in the second inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium., Tucson, Ariz., May 6, 2023.
University of Arizona vs Cal, softball
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California left fielder Kennedy Thomas (9) is surrounded by her teammates celebrating her diving catch in foul territory to throw out Arizonaβs Carlie Scupin (20) and get the Golden Bears out of the third inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium., Tucson, Ariz., May 6, 2023.
University of Arizona vs Cal, softball
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California shortstop Acacia Anders (13) canβt get the throw, allowing Arizonaβs Kaiah Altmeyer (24) to get into second, and eventually third, safely in the fourth inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium., Tucson, Ariz., May 6, 2023.
University of Arizona vs Cal, softball
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Arizona second baseman Allie Skaggs gets a glove on a grounder during Saturday nightβs game. UA rebounded from losing to Cal on Friday and Saturday by routing the Golden Bears 9-4 Sunday.
University of Arizona vs Cal, softball
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The throw gets to Arizona shortstop Logan Cole (23) too late to stop Californiaβs Diamond Holland (11) from stealing second in the sixth inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium., Tucson, Ariz., May 6, 2023.
University of Arizona vs Cal, softball
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Arizonaβs Devyn Netz (34) eyes her bat as she steps into the box against Cal in the sixth inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium., Tucson, Ariz., May 6, 2023.
University of Arizona vs Cal, softball
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Arizonaβs Izzy Pacho (15) gestures to the dugout from second base after her fly ball plated a run on a California error in the sixth inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium., Tucson, Ariz., May 6, 2023.
University of Arizona vs Cal, softball
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California shortstop Acacia Anders (13) canβt get to a shot up the middle by Arizonaβs Logan Cole (23) that drove home a Wildcat run in the sixth inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium., Tucson, Ariz., May 6, 2023.
University of Arizona vs Cal, softball
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Arizona second baseman Allie Skaggs, right, turns the pivot over Calβs Sophie Medellin for a double play in the seventh inning of their Pac-12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium on May 6, 2023.
University of Arizona vs Cal, softball
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Arizonaβs Devyn Netz (34) points to her teammates as she rounds the bases on her solo homer against Cal in the seventh inning of their Pac 12 softball game at Hillenbrand Stadium., Tucson, Ariz., May 6, 2023.
