Bears Blank Tigers, 2-0
STOCKTON - Haylei Archer shut down Pacific, and the California softball team shut out the Tigers, 2-0, Wednesday afternoon from Bill Simoni Field.
With the win, the Golden Bears (11-4) have now won seven of their last eight games heading into Pac-12 Conference play this weekend.
Archer earned the win (4-0) going six and a third, allowing five hits and one walk with two strikeouts. She battled through a couple pressure situations when the Tigers put two runners on in the first, second and fifth innings. Chloe Romero entered the game to get the final two outs in the seventh and earned her first save of 2021 in the process.
Cal got on the board in the top of the first. Back-to-back singles by Lauren Espalin and Makena Smith started the game, and Espalin came around to score on an RBI fielder's choice by Kacey Zobac. Cal's catcher grounded one to first, but Espalin beat the throw home.
Karlee Sparacino belted her third home run of the season to lead off the second, increasing Cal's lead to 2-0.
Espalin notched two hits. After scoring in the first, she singled again in the seventh.
After swiping eight stolen bases last week, Cal was motoring again on Wednesday, stealing four bags.
The Bears head to Corvallis for four games at Oregon State. The series and conference opener is set for Friday, March 19, at 5:30 p.m.