Columbia
Cal
Softball Hangs Tough with No. 6 Cal, Drops 3-1 Decision
3/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Thorson retired the first nine batters to face her, but down 1-0, Kim Krisman got Columbia's rally started by legging out an infield single to start the top of the fourth inning.
Krisman advanced to second on a nicely executed sacrifice bunt by Keli Leong and two batters later, Kacy Krisman tied the score. After fouling off an assortment of nasty pitches from the Cal ace, Krisman eventually connected, lining a single into right-center to score her twin sister as Columbia knotted the score at one against Cal, which won the national championship in 2002 and has advanced to the College World Series in each of the last seven years.
Cal came back with two runs in their half of the fourth, but the Lions again did not flinch. With two out in the top of the fifth, Hilary Parsons started another Columbia rally with an infield hit and Lexie Costic followed with an infield single to the hole at short stop.
With two on and two out, Kim Krisman grounded one toward the hole between first and second and was thrown out by a half-step to cut short the Columbia threat.
In the next half-inning, Cal loaded the bases with one out and appeared primed to extend its lead. However, Kacy Krisman made a nice snag of a one-hopper at third, fired home for one out and Valerie Smith nailed the runner at first for an unusual 5-2-3 double play to keep the score at 3-1.
Thorson beared down over the final two innings, as Columbia mustered a leadoff single by Smith to start the seventh, but no more, as the Lions ultimately dropped a hard-fought, 3-1 decision to the sixth-ranked team in the country.
Maiya Chard-Yaron (2-3) allowed three runs, two earned, over the first four innings and Jackie Adelfio pitched two scoreless innings for the Lions.
Thorson improved to 14-2 with the complete-game win, while Cal improved to 21-2 overall, as the Golden Bears won their 16th straight game.
Columbia's first game with Illinois, scheduled to take place on Friday, was cancelled due to the heavy rains that hit the Sacramento area over the past few days.
Columbia (8-7) will return to action on Saturday, March 18 at the Capital Classic. The Lions will take on Colorado State at 3:30 p.m. Eastern and Nevada at 6 p.m. in the nightcap.
