Anders Walk Off Carries Bears Past No. 7 Huskies

BERKELEY – Acacia Anders blasted a walk off home run as California softball took down No. 7 Washington, 4-3, to even the weekend series at Levine-Fricke Field on Saturday.

Anders had a 4-for-4 day at the plate with two RBI for the Bears (19-9, 1-1 Pac-12) and got seven strong innings in the circle from Sona Halajian as she picked up her 11th win, allowing just three runs on four hits.

Tatum Anzaldo recorded two hits on the day, giving her four combined in the first two games of the series. Baylee Klingler hit a 3-run shot for the Huskies (20-6, 1-1 Pac-12).

It was the first win over Washington since April 17, 2016, a 5-3 California victory in Seattle.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bears got on the board first in the bottom half of the opening frame. Makena Smith, hitting in the leadoff spot for the first time this season, opened the game with a base hit and Cal had runners at the corners with nobody out after an Anzaldo bunt single. Anders followed with her first RBI of the day, plating Smith with a single to left. Cal added one more on a D'Asha Saiki RBI single to right center, making it 2-0 Cal after one complete.

After the Klingler homer in the top of the second, Cal knotted things up at three apiece in the bottom of the third. Anzaldo and Anders both recorded one-out hits and Halajian walked to load the bases before Kacey Zobac got the job done with an RBI groundout to second, making it 3-3.

Anders came to the plate with two-out in the bottom of the seventh and blasted a 0-1 pitch to right, a no-doubt shot for her fourth home run of the season.

UP NEXT
Cal and No. 7 Washington meet for the rubber match of the series at 2 pm Sunday at Levine-Fricke Field. The game will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Networks.

STAY POSTED
For coverage of Cal softball, please follow the Bears on Twitter (@CalSB), Instagram (@calsb) and Facebook (/CalSoftball/).