'Sunday Night Softball' preview: California at No. 13 UCLA
Who: California at No. 13 UCLA
When: Sunday, April 23 at 5pm PT/6 MT on Pac-12 Network, Pac-12 Bay Area and Pac-12 Los Angeles
On the call: Krista Blunk and Amanda Freed
UCLA leads series 2-0
On the home side: UCLA (32-12, 7-7)
Although the team has yet to record a home run this series, UCLA sits at seventh nationally (second in the Pac-12) in home runs. And while the number 13 Bruins sit in the middle of the Pac-12 conference in fifth place, they seem to sit atop of the conference in many categories. They are third in slugging percentage and doubles, second in sac bunts,
Bruins to watch:
Gabrielle Maurice- The senior had a night to remember in the first game of the series on Friday when she went 2-for-3 and hit a walk-off double to give the Bruins the 3-2 comeback win.
Gabrielle Maurice gets the walkoff and the @UCLASoftball @OpusBank #12Best Moment! #Pac12SB https://t.co/EKOL9tDCmV
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) April 22, 2017
Zoe Shaw- The sophomore standout from game two of the series. After going 0-for-2 on Friday night, Shaw led the bruins Saturday night going 3-for-3 and two RBIs.
Zoe Shaw's RBI single for @UCLASoftball is the @OpusBank #12Best Moment! #Pac12SB https://t.co/lrlFaUblby
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) April 23, 2017
On the away side: California (26-15, 3-10)
The Golden Bears have been to battle with the Bruins for two-straight days. Cal was ahead in game one of the series, all the way until the bottom of the seventh inning. Already having been swept two times in Pac-12 play, the Bears have to find a way to connect the bat to the ball in order to prevent a third sweep.
Golden Bears to watch:
Jazmyn Jackson- Recently named to the Women’s National Team, Jackson, who leads the Pac-12 with 15 doubles and is tied for second with three triples, is due for a big swing this series. The junior leadoff hitter is currently 1-for-8 in the series, but still holds a .344 batting average.
Lindsay Rood- A member of the 2016 Pac-12 All-Freshman team, the sophomore, whose batting a .319, had an amazing first game of the series when she went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run, but recorded no hits with three at bats in Saturday night’s game. Look for Rood to try and show up big for the Bears on Sunday.