No. 19 Utah Softball Falls to California, 5-1

BERKELEY, Calif. – The No. 19 University of Utah softball team grabbed an early lead against the California Golden Bears on Saturday but ended up falling by a score of 5-1 in Pac-12 Conference action at Levine-Fricke Field.
 
Utah's record now stands at 22-6 overall in 2023 and their conference mark is 6-2. The Golden Bears are 23-9-1 overall and 5-5-1 the Pac-12.

"I thought Mariah started out really strong and put us in a good position to win today," said head coach Amy Hogue, "but our offense was not making their adjustments. It was a frustrating day overall and we have got to do our best to rebound so we can have a chance to win the series tomorrow."
 
The Utes struck the first blow of the day in the second, loading the bases on a Sophie Jacquez double and a pair of walks. When Karlie Davison was hit by a pitch, Jacquez crossed the plate with the game's first run.
 
Mariah Lopez kept the Golden Bears off the scoreboard with three straight scoreless innings to start the game, but a solo homer by Tianna Bell knotted the contest at 1-1 in the fourth. The home team then used a four-run rally in the fifth to move ahead for good. A Makena Smith home run got the scoring started before a bases-loaded walk and a two-run single courtesy of Kennedy Thomas gave California a lead they'd never relinquish.
 
Annabel Teperson finished the game in the circle for the Golden Bears and held the Utes scoreless over the final three innings. She retired the side in order in the seventh to officially even the series.
 
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Both teams will be after a series victory when they meet at 12 p.m. PT on Sunday.
 
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