Courtesy of Cal Athletics
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – Behind a complete-game shutout and career-high nine strikeout performance from sophomoreKatie Sutherland-Finch, No. 21 Cal (11-0) took down undefeated No. 10 Tennessee (11-1) in the Bears’ first game of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Palm Springs, California. Cal improves to a perfect 11-0 on the season.
Sutherland-Finch stymied the Volunteers, throwing a complete game shutout to pick up her fourth win of the season. In her last two games in the circle, Sutherland-Finch has thrown 13 innings, allowing just one earned run overall. Against the Vols, she offered up four hits and two walks on top of her nine whiffs in 28 batters faced.
Freshman Jazmyn Jackson got things going for the Bears early as she doubled to lead off the game. With two outs, senior Cheyenne Cordes singled up the middle to bring in Jackson for the Bears’ only run of the day.
Cal nearly added another run at the top of the fifth on a sure-homer from senior Danielle Henderson, but strong play by Rainey Gaffin in right field robbed her of the RBI.
The Bears played stellar defense behind Sutherland-Finch all afternoon, highlighted by a gutsy play by Cordes in the first inning that sent her over the left field wall, and a great grab in foul territory by senior Britt Vonk in the sixth inning.
In Tennessee’s final side of the game, the Vols threatened with a runner on base with two outs. Sutherland-Finch and her sturdy defense shut the door with a ground out to sophomore Kylie Reed, and the Bears claimed their first victory over a ranked opponent of the season.
