BERKELEY, Calif. — Saint Mary's Softball (19-14) narrowly missed their first victory over a ranked opponent since 2017, dropping an extra innings thriller to #20 Cal (27-10), 2-1. The Gaels erased an early 1-0 deficit, and put the go-ahead run on base in every inning after tying it at 1-1 in the fourth, but would be unable to ever go ahead against the Golden Bears, eventually surrendering a walk-off solo shot in the bottom of the eighth. 

Odhi Vasquez drew the start, and would not allow a hit until the third inning. That first hit, a leadoff bunt single in the third, would eventually come around to score the opening run, but that was all Odhi would surrender through the regulation seven. 

The Gaels drew level in the fourth with a two out rally that began with an infield single from Jenavee Amador. Alex Cutonilli would make it back to back hits with an infield single, that Amador advanced to third on thanks to some heads up baserunning. Tori Cervantes fouled off four pitches before being hit by one to load the bases, and Taylor Lane won a seven pitch showdown, working a bases loaded walk to draw level at one apiece. 

Vasquez continued to cruise in the circle, twice stranding the go-ahead run at second, but the Gaels would not get a runner past second base either from the fifth through the seventh. In the top of the eighth, Sam Buckley led off with a single to the opposite field, and was sacrifice to second by Amador, but would be unable to get beyond second. Vasquez set down the first two batters in the bottom half, but a solo shot with two away for the Golden Bears would end things at 2-1. 

Amador and Alex Cutonilli both logged multi-hit ballgames. It was Cutonilli's fifth multi-hit game of the season, and Amador's third. Vasquez tossed her fifth complete game in six appearances, bringing her ERA to a team-best 2.18. 

The Gaels will get back at it tomorrow, taking on the UC Davis Aggies at 3 PM in Davis. 

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