Bears Drop Game One In Ohio

OXFORD, Ohio – California built an early lead, but couldn't hold onto it in a 6-5 loss to Miami (Ohio) in the first game of the series on Friday night at Miami Softball Stadium.

Alexis Bishop went 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI, while Acacia Anders also drove in a run for the Bears (25-19). Annabel Teperson threw four and 2/3 scoreless innings in relief for Cal. Karli Spaid had two hits to lead the Redhawks (27-13).  

HOW IT HAPPENED
Cal took advantage of some shaky Miami pitching and executed small ball to perfection in the first, scoring four runs on two hits and an error. Smith singled to start the game and scored on a Bishop RBI bunt single to make it 1-0, before two more runs came across on bases loaded walks. The Bears made it 4-0 on a Redhawk error at shortstop.

Miami rallied back quickly in the bottom half, plating two runs on two hits to make it 4-2 Cal after one complete. The Redhawks weren't done as they added four runs on three hits in the second to take their first lead of the game at 6-4.

Teperson came on in relief in the second and had the Miami hitters off balance throughout the remainder of the game, allowing just three Redhawk hits and no runs through the home fifth.

After getting three runners on base and not pushing across any runs in the fifth, Cal got one back in the sixth. Kennedy Thomas singled with one-out and moved to second on a fielder's choice before scoring on an Anders RBI single to center as it was a one-run game after six complete.

UP NEXT
Cal and Miami continue the series on Saturday, April 23 with a 1 pm PT first pitch.     

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