Bears Stumble, Utes Even Series

SALT LAKE CITY – California fell behind early and wasn't able to rally back for a second consecutive day on the road as Utah evened the series with an 8-2 victory on Saturday afternoon at Dumke Family Softball Stadium.

The Bears (22-16, 4-7 Pac-12) were led by a pair of hits from Amani Bradley, Sona Halajian, Tatum Anzaldo and Acacia Anders. The Utes (19-17, 3-5 Pac-12) got a 4-for-4 day from leadoff hitter Haley Denning.   

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Utes jumped out to an early advantage for the second straight day, benefiting from some base hits and some defensive miscues by the Bears. Utah plated three runs on two hits and two errors in the first and added one in the second inning on a hit and an error to go up 4-0 after two complete.

Cal looked to get a rally going in the third when Bradley tripled to right with just one out, but a strikeout and groundout ended the inning to strand the runner at third. The Bears started to chip away in the fifth, thanks to Bradley's second hit of the afternoon, an RBI single to score D'Asha Saiki and make the score 4-1.

The Utes added runs on a solo homer in the fifth, a Bear error and a couple of RBI sacrifice outs. Anders came through with an RBI double in the top of the seventh, but the Bears left two on base to end the game.  

UP NEXT
Cal and Utah meet for the rubber match of the series at 11 am PT on Sunday, April 10 from Dumke Family Softball Stadium.    

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