University of Louisville
California
No. 5/7 California Defeats Softball 4-0
May 21, 2011 | Softball
May 21, 2011
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - - No. 5/7 California defeated the host University of Louisville softball team 4-0 in the second round of the NCAA regional Saturday. The Cards (37-19) will face Jacksonville State (40-20) in an elimination game Saturday at 9 p.m. in an elimination game.
"We did not come ready to play," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We weren't sharp offensively or defensively - but what is done is done. We are not in an ideal situation now, but we will regroup and do our best to be ready to play. I am sure the crowd will help us get excited. This is what we played for all year, the chance to advance in the NCAA. So the pressure is on both teams and both teams have to rise to the occasion or go home."
The Bears (41-10) got on the scoreboard with four runs in the second when Jordan Wallace reached on a fielder's choice to bring up Elia Reid with two outs in the second inning. Reid blasted a shot over the left field fence to give Cal a 2-0 lead. Jamia Reid walked and Britt Vonk followed with an infield single to place two runners on for Jace Williams who lifted a fly ball into centerfield. An error on the play sent Reid and Vonk home to make the score 4-0.
The Cards' best chance to score came in the fifth when Maggie Ruckenbrod led off the frame with a single and took second on Katelyn Mann's sacrifice bunt. Taner Fowler's base hit placed runners on first and second with one out. Cal starting pitcher Jolene Henderson retired the next two batters to preserve the shutout.
Henderson (36-7) got the win, allowing four hits and striking out nine in a complete game effort. Vonk was 3-for-3 with a run.
Tori Collins (16-11) took the loss, allowing four runs, two earned, on six hits and striking out five in 5.1 innings of work.
