Early outburst helps Cal stay alive with 6-3 win over Oregon

OKLAHOMA CITY — After every loss this season, Cal coach Diane Ninemire’s topranked Bears have taken a foul mood and some big sticks with them into their next game.

On the heels of a 3-0 loss to Oklahoma a day earlier, the Bears turned their wrath on Oregon in a Women’s College World Series elimination game Saturday.

Jace Williams’ home run staked Cal (58-6) to a 3-0 firstinning lead as the Bears took out the frustration of being dropped into the loser’s bracket by bashing the Ducks early in a 6-3 win that advanced them to one of Sunday’s two bracket-play finals.

Cal first plays secondranked Alabama (57-7) at 12:30 p.m. and must beat the Tide twice Sunday to advance to the best-of-three championship series beginning Monday.

After each of Cal’s first five losses this season, the Bears shut out their next opponent — by a combined score of 33-0.

“I just want to say I thought tonight was a really great game,” Ninemire said. “I’m really proud of this team and the will to win. Hopefully, we’ll have a great game tomorrow.”

Williams’ two-out homer over the centerfield wall in the top of the first scored Britt Vonk and Frani Echavarria, who had reached on an infield single and walk, respectively, before both advanced on a wild pitch.

The Bears built the lead to 5-0 in the second when Vonk hit a two-out double down the right field line to score Danielle Henderson and Jamia Reed, who had each singled and advanced on a passed ball.

Victoria Jones’ solo homer in the fourth extended the lead to 6-1.

Cal starting pitcher Jolene Henderson allowed six hits and three earned runs in the complete-game victory.

She was cruising through her nine-strikeout performance, fanning the side in the fourth, before Sara Goodrum’s bases-loaded, two-run double in the sixth pulled Oregon (45-18) within 6-3. But with runners at second and third and one out, second baseman Williams caught Lindsey Chambers’ popup but overthrew catcher Jones. The Ducks’ Alexa Peterson, who had held at third on the popup, took off but became the third out when Jones retrieved the ball and tagged her near the plate.

“Tonight I was going with the attitude of just stay calm and we’re going to win,” Henderson said. “My team behind me was nails. They were making plays — diving plays — and that’s as much as any pitcher could ask for.”