Cal Softball: Bears End Judi Garman in Historic Fashion
Layna Gerhard Leads an Explosive California Offense to a 16-0 Win and First No-Hitters for the Bears in Eight Years
FULLERTON – On the final day of the Judi Garman Classic Tournament in Fullerton, CA, the California Golden Bears (8-14) were set to face their last opponent before conference play: the East Texas A&M Lions. Head Coach Steve Singleton gave right handed pitcher Layna Gerhard (2-1) the starting nod, who took to the circle in just her second start of the season.
The transfer from Ohio State went on to throw California’s first no-hitter since Kamalani Dung threw a perfect game against UTEP on March 1st, 2018–exactly eight years prior. “It was really exciting to get the win,” Gerhard commented. “We just all came together. The defense was great, the hitters were doing amazing, and I pitched well. It was a fun game.” Layna is the twenty-first pitcher in Cal softball’s history to single-handedly throw a no-hitter.
While Gerhard kept East Texas A&M’s batters silent the entire game, the Golden Bears offense were as loud as they’ve ever been this season. Nine different players recorded at least one hit, with shortstop Gator Robinson, first baseman Carly Raven, right fielder Sophia Everett, and Anya German (who was pinch hitting Sunday) all having multi-hit days. Raven, German, and Everett notched at least one double apiece, with German and Everett both sending one over the fence for a 2-run homer and a 3-run homer respectively. “Since my teammates were hitting so well, there wasn’t as much pressure on the defense,” Gerhard explained, giving her teammates ample credit for the win. “That was really big, because it makes it a lot easier to stay relaxed and throw good pitches.”
All told, 16 runs were scored on the Lions in Cal’s 76th no-hitter, making it the highest scoring no-hitter since 1993. Gerhard finished her outing Sunday with 5 IP, 3 BB, and 3 Ks for her second win of the season.