Sutherland-Finch, a sophomore, struck out nine in her no-hitter.
BERKELEY, Calif. -- Behind a no-hit performance by sophomore Katie Sutherland-Finch, No. 18 Cal finished off a perfect five-game homestand at Levine-Fricke Field with an 8-0 run-rule win against Santa Clara on Tuesday afternoon. With the win, the Golden Bears improve to 32-9 on the year.
Sutherland-Finch's no-hitter was the first for the Bears since current sophomore Stephanie Trzcinski tossed one on March 23, 2014 against Princeton. Sutherland-Finch was dominant all game, striking out seven Broncos in the first three innings and nine overall to match her career high. She improves to 14-5 on the year in the circle.
Cheyenne Cordes and Danielle Henderson helped Sutherland-Finch out on offense, with Cordes logging two doubles, two runs scored and two RBIs in a 2-for-3 day and Henderson adding a three-run homer in a 1-for-1, two-walk performance.
The Bears' bats got to work in the second inning, putting two runs on the board. After Taurie Pogue singled and Alleah Laxamana reached on a fielderâs choice, Mary Lee pushed both runners over with a sacrifice bunt. With runners on second and third, Vanessa Alvarez slapped a grounder to third base and was thrown out at first. On the play, Broncosâ first baseman Jordan Newell overthrew the catcher and both Pogue and Laxamana came around to score.
In the bottom of the third, Britt Vonk drew a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Cordes came up to the plate and doubled down the left field line to put the Bears up by three. After Henderson walked, Pogue reached on a fielderâs choice. Pogue then stole second with a great hook slide to avoid the tag. On the throw, Cordes raced home from third to give the Bears their fourth run.
Cal got a two-out rally going in the bottom of the fourth when Jazmyn Jackson singled and Vonk walked. Cordes smoked a double to left field to bring in Vonk. Henderson then delivered the boom with a three-run homer to dead center to make it an 8-0 game.
In the top of the fifth, Sutherland-Finch retired the Broncos in order, including two strikeouts, to complete her no-hit performance.
Briana Rios took the loss for the Broncos, allowing seven earned runs on six hits and four walks.
