Thorson Shuts Down Nebraska in 2-0 Cal Win

Lincoln --- California right-hander Kristina Thorson tossed a two-hit shutout to lead the top-seeded Bears to a 2-0 win over second-seeded Nebraska Saturday afternoon in the NCAA Region 5 semifinal round at Bowlin Stadium. Thorson threw her second complete-game shutout of the week, extending her NCAA regional streak of consecutive scoreless innings to 21.

With the victory, Cal (49-11) advanced to Sunday's regional final game at noon at Bowlin Stadium. Tonight at 7 p.m., the Huskers (44-16) will play the winner of Saturday's 2:30 p.m. elimination game between Creighton and Florida Atlantic for a spot in Sunday's final.

Cal took a quick 2-0 lead against the Huskers, as leadoff hitter Vicky Galindo scored in both the first and third innings. Galindo opened the game with a leadoff double, advanced to third on a passed ball, then scored on Kaleo Eldredge's sacrifice bunt. In the third, Galindo reached on a leadoff single. She advanced to second on Lindsay James' sacrifice bunt and reached third on an NU error. Haley Woods then sent a slow-rolling hit to short, and Galindo beat the throw from Nebraska shortstop Devin Porter at home for the 2-0 lead.

The Huskers' threatened to score in the bottom of the fifth. Liz Lawhorn laced a one-out single to center, and Kier drew a walk. Porter smacked a shot to left, but Cal's Lindsay James came up with it for the second out. Steffan then grounded out to third to end NU's best chance to get on the board.

Senior right-hander Peaches James (36-8) took the loss for Nebraska, as Cal scored two unearned runs on four hits. James produced seven strikeouts in her 37th complete game of the season. The loss was James' first since May 9 and snapped her six-game winning streak.

Nebraska Notes
Peaches James, Sr., RHP, Nebraska...Before giving up a run in the first, James had thrown 22.2 consecutive scoreless innings...the loss was James' first in seven games...NU record 378 strikeouts this season...NU career record 927 strikeouts...entered the game with a regional-best .667 (4-for-6) batting average but did not have a hit against Cal.

Anne Steffan, Jr., 2B, Nebraska...With her stolen base in the first inning, Steffan increased her 2004 total to 29 and moved into a tie for second on the NU single-season chart with Joy Rishel (1990)...had one of the Huskers' two hits against Cal.

Trisha Tannahill, So., LF, Nebraska ...saw her team-best four-game hitting streak come to an end against Cal with an 0-for-3 day.

Cal Notes
Kristina Thorson, So., RHP, California...21 scoreless innings in 2004 NCAA Regional...allowed just five hits, four walks, while striking out 22 in regional play.

Vicky Galindo, Jr., 3B, California...hitting .556 (5-for-9) in 2004 NCAA Regional with one homer, four runs scored and one RBI...scored both of Cal's runs against the Huskers...extended her hitting streak to seven games with her team-leading 16th double in the first inning.

Kaleo Eldredge, Jr., CF, California...hitting .500 (3-for-6) in 2004 NCAA Regional with two RBIs, one run scored and one stolen base...fielder's choice sacrifice bunt in the first inning scored Galindo for the second run of the game.