Cal dominates Weber State, but falls to Utah twice in the three-game series, losing its third Pac-12 series. An upcoming homestand provides the Bears an opportunity to bounce back.
Cal spent its spring break on the road, fighting through the cold mountains of Utah.
A four-game slate began in Ogden for a one-and-done with Weber State, followed by a trip to the state capital for a Pac-12 series matchup with the Utes.
Following a season-long theme of steamrolling past non-conference opponents, Cal put an end to Weber State’s misery in the fifth inning at the mercy of the run rule. En route to a 10-2 victory over the Wildcats, three of the Bears’ 11 hits cleared the field of play, accounting for half of their runs.
Shining once again was standout junior Acacia Anders. The shortstop tied a season-high with three hits to complement her two runs, one home run and one RBI.
Anders has been one of the few players to take the next big jump for head coach Chelsea Spencer. Through 36 games, Anders has posted career highs in batting average (.400), on-base percentage (.477) and is on pace for new highs in runs, hits, home runs, walks and RBIs.
“I knew that I was going to be in more of a leadership role this year, especially being an upperclassman. I know a lot of the girls look up to me, and I’ve just always been a lead-by-example type of person, so I know what I have to do and do what I do,” said Anders earlier this season. “I always put in the work over the summer and I know we lost a lot of girls last year, so I know a couple of us had to step up and I’m glad I’m performing the way I am.”
Despite Anders’ stellar junior campaign, the Bears continued to struggle with their Pac-12 counterparts, dropping their series matchup against Utah to fall to 26-10 on the season and 4-8 in conference play.
Taking a three-run lead in the first game was not enough as the Utes put together a six-run fourth inning to ultimately put the Bears away, 7-4. The second game was not the offensive output either team desired, but a gritty 1-0 Cal victory left relevancy for the series finale. Despite holding the momentum, Cal failed to hold its lead in the rubber match, ultimately losing the series off of a Utes two-run sixth inning.
“I think with our team right now, where we’re at, we know the qualities that we have and we know that we’re a really good team,” said Cal’s Alyssa Herrera. “We had a tough weekend going and losing the (Utah) series, but there’s no doubt that we’ll bounce right back. It’s something we always do … There’s nothing we can’t handle.”
In her first collegiate season, Herrera has handled everything the diamond has thrown at her and remains “super grateful” for the opportunities coach Spencer has allotted to her.
In 19 starts, the freshman catcher has totaled 16 hits, six runs, three home runs and an on-base percentage near .400. Herrera has made a name for herself in a star-studded squad and is looking to grow with the program.
With Utah in the rearview mirror, Cal returns home with a break from Pac-12 play and will face a familiar face in Saint Mary’s. This will be the second meeting between the two teams as Cal defeated the Gaels 7-1 in early March.
“One of my teammates, (Tatum Anzaldo), always says, ‘Winning is never loyal. The game of softball is never loyal.’ So we don’t treat any team like they’re any better or any worse than us. We always go out and we treat every team with respect because the game isn’t loyal. You never know who’s going to win that day,” Hererra said.
The Bears will host their fellow Northern Californian school on Wednesday with the first pitch set for 3 p.m.
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