CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The California softball team (22-7, 5-3 ACC) fell to No. 23 Virginia (24-7, 6-2 ACC), 6-5, Saturday afternoon at Palmer Park in Charlottesville, Va.
 
After two scoreless innings to begin the game, the Golden Bears erupted for five runs in the third. With a runner on second, Lagi Quiroga continued her impressive weekend with an RBI double to put the first run of the game on the scoreboard. Acacia Anders quickly followed with a two-run shot to center field, her fourth home run of the season, to give the Bears a 3-0 lead. Mia Phillips capped off the frame after clearing the bases with a two-RBI double as Cal took a 5-0 advantage.
 
The Cavaliers began to reduce the deficit after bringing two runners across home plate in the bottom of the third inning.
 
The Bears struggled to produce on the offensive end through the fourth and fifth innings, leaving three base runners stranded on three hits.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, the Cavaliers tacked on another run with a solo home run from Kelly Ayer to cut the Bears lead to 5-3.
 
The Cavaliers continued to gain momentum after holding Cal scoreless through the next two innings. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Cal was one away from its first ACC road win. Virginia's Sarah Coon tied the game with a two-run home run to send the game into extra innings.
 
After leaving one base runner stranded at the top of the eighth inning, the Bears returned the field, and Ryann Orange came in as a relief pitcher.
 
With a runner on first and second base, Jade Hylton brought the game-winning run across the plate with an RBI double down the left-field line to give the Cavaliers the 6-5 win.
 
UP NEXT
Cal will complete the three-game series against No. 23 Virginia on Sunday at 10 a.m. PT