Bears Edge UCSB, 1-0
BERKELEY - One run was all California needed to defeat UC Santa Barbara, 1-0, Saturday afternoon from Levine-Fricke Field. The Golden Bears improved to 6-3 on the year, and they won both of this weekend's matchups against the Gauchos.
Haylei Archer earned the win, improving her record to 2-0 on the year. She and Sona Halajian combined to shut out UCSB. Halajian got the start and went four and a third before Archer entered the game in the fifth to squash a Gaucho rally.
Archer was in another pressure situation in the seventh inning. With two outs, UCSB notched three straight singles to load the bases, but Archer remained poised and got the third out to earn the win.
Archer struck out two, allowed three hits and no walks in two and two-thirds innings of work.
The Bears scored in the bottom of the fifth. Sophie Medellin reached on an infield single that scored Makena Smith for the lone run of the game.
Medellin, Smith, Kennedy Thomas, Karlee Sparacino, Morgan Zamora and Lauren Espalin all recorded hits. Espalin entered the game as a pinch hitter in the fifth and smacked a double to left-center.
Tomorrow's game vs. Nevada has been canceled. Cal returns to action on Wednesday, March 10, at Santa Clara at 4 p.m.