After the Bears had erased an early deficit and evened the score, 3-3, Hailey Hilburn started the fifth with a double. She advanced to third and Ellessa Bonstrom walked to put runners on the corners for Barrera. The junior rocked a ball to left-center for a triple that put the Utes ahead to stay.
SHE'S DONE IT AGAIN! Second day in a row that Alyssa Barrera has put Utah in the lead as her triple scores Hilburn and Bonstrom!#GoUtes ???? pic.twitter.com/cQqRfKtn5P
— Utah Softball (@Utah_Softball) March 16, 2019
Chantelle Ladner made her first Pac-12 start, retiring the first six batters and shutting out the visitors for four innings before running into trouble. Sydney Sandez entered and was able to get her sixth win with 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.
Utah took an immediate lead when Julia Noskin walked on four pitches and scored on a Bonstrom triple down the right-field line. Cal had a chance to answer in the third as Utah pitched around Lindsay Rood, putting two on with two outs, but Ladner got a grounder to third to keep it a one-run game.
The Utes added to the advantage in the fourth when Bonstrom walked and Barrera singled to start the inning. Makayla Hurst smashed a two-run double for a 3-0 edge.
Makayla Hurst ropes this one for a 2-run double! Bonstrom and Barrera come in to score!#GoUtes ???? pic.twitter.com/ygBvIkapVU
— Utah Softball (@Utah_Softball) March 16, 2019
Cal came alive in the fifth as Karlee Sparacino started with a solo homer. Alexandra Perez singled and Destiny Blueford followed with a RBI triple to trim the gap back to a run. Rood was the next batter and lifted a sacrifice fly to left that tied the game.
The threat remained as Amani Bradley singled and Mikayla Coelho walked but Utah was able to turn a 6-5-4 double play due to some quick thinking by Bonstrom.
Ellessa Bonstrom with the smart play at short is able to turn 2!#GoUtes ???? pic.twitter.com/d2ZebbIZcv
— Utah Softball (@Utah_Softball) March 16, 2019
After taking the lead on the Barrera triple, Utah added to it in the sixth. Jordyn Gasper reached via fielder's choice and stole second. A Hilburn single put runners on the corners with one out and Noskin grounded to the right side, bringing in a run. BreOnna Castaneda followed with another ground ball that went through the legs of the second baseman, scoring Hilburn for the final score.
Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day and there will be green donuts and hot chocolate provided for fans. First pitch for the series finale will be at 12 p.m.