SARATOGA – The California softball team defeated Louisville, 7-5, on Thursday afternoon at Viking Field. Madison Rey led the way with a game-high three hits and two RBI in the Bears' victory.

Cal jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning. Kayli Counts opened the scoring with an RBI single, and Emma Jackson followed with an RBI fielder's choice. Gator Robinson then cleared the bases with a two-run double to cap the inning.

Louisville got on the board in the third with a solo home run to make it 4-1, but Kyndal Todd answered in the bottom half with an RBI groundout to push Cal's lead back to four.

The Cardinals scored two runs in the fourth to cut the deficit to 5-3. Rey responded with an RBI double in the bottom of the inning to give the Bears a 6-3 advantage.

Louisville pulled within one after scoring two more in the fifth, but Rey came through again with an RBI in the bottom half of the sixth to extend Cal's lead to 7-5.

The Golden Bears kept the Cardinals off the board over the final two innings to secure the series-opening win.

Layna Gerhard (5-2) earned the win after allowing four runs on six hits in 4.1 innings pitched while striking out one.

Cal improved to 13-25 overall and 3-10 in ACC play. The Bears return to action Friday for Game 2 against Louisville.

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