CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The California softball team (22-6, 5-2 ACC) dropped the series opener to No. 23 Virginia (23-7, 5-2 ACC), 7-6, on Friday at Palmer Park in Charlottesville, Va.
 
The Bears tallied three hits in the opening frame to put two runs on the scoreboard. Acacia Anders found the gap in left field for an RBI double while Kaylee Pond followed with a base hit up the middle to bring another runner across home plate to give Cal a 2-0 advantage. Pond has now recorded a hit in six consecutive games.
 
With a runner on first and second base, Lagi Quiroga doubled to right field, her second hit of the day, to score a runner as the Bears took a 3-0 lead in the second inning.
 
The Cavaliers responded with seven runs in the fourth inning off seven hits, including a grand slam by M.C Eaton, to take a 7-3 lead.
 
Quiroga led off in the top of the fifth with her eighth home run of the season and third hit of the game to chip away at the deficit. Cal loaded the bases in the frame but couldn't advance any runners after the Cavaliers recorded three straight outs.
 
Down 4-7 to start the seventh, the Bears made one final push after loading the bases with no outs. Cal brought two runners across the plate but left the game-tying run stranded on third base as the Cavaliers held on to the victory.
 
UP NEXT
Cal will play No. 23 Virginia in the second game of the series on Saturday with a first pitch time of 11 a.m. PT.
 
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