The Bears travel to the desert for the Nutter Classic

Peter Fukumae

Makena Smith is tied for second in the conference with 13 runs scored, third with four home runs, sixth in slugging percentage (.794) and seventh in RBI (13).

SB22/02/2023 18:53 | Posted by: Cal Athletics

Cal Set For Strong Competition In Cathedral City

BERKELEY The California softball team heads south to the desert for the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, playing five games over three days at the Big League Dreams Complex in Cathedral City.

Cal faces San Diego for the third time this season to open the tournament Friday at 12:30 p.m. before closing out the first day with a game against Utah Valley at 6 p.m. The Bears have a doubleheader on Saturday with a 10 a.m. first pitch against Cal. Poly and a 12:30 p.m. start against Iowa. Tournament play concludes Sunday at 11:30 a.m. when Cal takes on Texas Tech.

WEEKEND SYSTEM

• Teams:Cal (9-2) vs. San Diego (2-10), Utah Valley (3-7), Cal Poly (5-1), Iowa (6-3), Texas Tech (9-2)
• Location:Big League Dreams Complex, Cathedral City, California
• First ascent:Friday: 12:30 pm to 6:00 pm | Saturday: 10.00 12.30 | Sunday: 11.30 am

HOW TO FOLLOW

QUICK PARTS

• Cal has scored 79 runs in 11 games through the first two weeks of the season, third most in the Pac-12. Cal’s 72 RBI are also tied for third most in the conference.
• The Bears have used the long ball early and often during the season, hitting 13 home runs and tied for second in the conference over two weekends. As a team, Cal has recorded 34 extra-base hits (13 HR, 18 2B, 3 3B), also second most in the Pac-12.
• Hayley Archer has been in the all-star circle during the two-week tournament, going 4-0 with a 0.63 ERA and .182 batting average.
• Makena Smith has produced in several offensive categories to start the season, hitting three home runs last weekend in Long Beach. Smith ranks second in the conference with 13 runs scored, third with four home runs, sixth in slugging percentage (.794) and seventh in RBI (13).
• Cal enters the Mary Nutter Classic riding a four-game winning streak in large part due to the pitching staff’s extended outing last weekend in Long Beach. Sagittarius, Anna Reimers and Annabel Teperson any complete game win for the Bears ends the tournament.
• Kacey Zobac (.423), Makena Smith (.382), D’Asha Saiki (.308) and Kennedy Thomas (.294) leads the Bears in batting average through the first two weeks of the tournament.
• Zobac had an outstanding weekend in Long Beach, batting .500 with five doubles. He is currently third in the Pac-12 with an on-base percentage of .600.

STAY AWAY

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