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Cal Softball vs. Arizona State on Pac-12 Networks Saturday Gamethread

Bears will try to take down the 5th ranked Sun Devils in Tempe without superstar pitcher Jolene Henderson. Can the very young and inexperienced Cal pitching rise up to the challenge?

By LEastCoastBears
On this pitch, Valerie Arioto hit a two run walkoff homer off ASU. Vote for Val for CGB HoF!
On this pitch, Valerie Arioto hit a two run walkoff homer off ASU. Vote for Val for CGB HoF!
Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

No. 10 Cal (35-10, 9-7) at No. 5 Arizona State (40-7, 11-5)

Time: 7 PM PT

TV: Pac-12 Networks

Online: Pac-12.com (for subscribers only)

Live Stat: Gametracker

Twitter Play by Play: RookieBears1754

Without Jolene Henderson, the Cal pitching got crushed by ASU in game 1, allowing 6 homers. Cheyenne Cordes did hit a homer for the Bears.

As for Jolene's status, the Daily Cal reported is hoping to get back in a couple of weeks:

Henderson is expected to return later in the season and is currently rehabbing to expedite her time off the field. With the Bears currently trailing three teams for first in the conference, Henderson’s presence is crucial for Cal to even have a shot at winning the Pac-12 title and getting home field advantage for the second round of the WCWS. A series win against the Sun Devils would put the Bears in third place in the Pac-12 and drop Arizona State to fourth.

Jolene had made the trip down to Tempe, so expect plenty of camera to follow her around the dugout. She actually looked pretty mobile during the ESPNU broadcast on Friday. At this point, I think I would be quite happy to have two competitive games for the rest of the weekend as our young starters, sophomore Nikki Owens or freshman Nisa Ontiveros, earn more confidence and experiences.

Who knows? Maybe the forced rest would allow Jolen to be more fresh for the post-season, lack of home field advantage be damned (and really, before the installation of lights, the Bears did not even have the facility to host in years past and have done well).

By the way, don't forget to vote for Jolene for the Senior CLASS Award! You can vote by clicking here. Have you voted yet today?

While you are in the voting mood, hop over and vote for Val for the CGB Hall of Fame, starting tomorrow.

GO BEARS!

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