NCAA Tournament

MAINE vs. CALIFORNIA

Time, site: Thursday, 6:30 p.m.; Bowlin Stadium, Lincoln, Neb.

Records: No. 8 seed Maine 27-21, No. 1 California 46-11

Series, last meeting: First meeting

Top hitters – Maine: CF Jess Brady (.382, 20 RBI, 3HR 17 SB), SS Brittany Cheney (.306, 21 RBI, 5 HR, 7 SB), 1B Amy Kuhl (.284, 21 RBI), 3B Lauren Dulkis (.281, 14 RBI), RF-DH Molly McKinney (.244, 15 RBI); California: UT Vicky Galindo (.363, 18 RBI, 5 HR, 23 SB), OF Lindsay James (.356, 17 RBI), SS Chelsea Spencer (.352, 33 RBI, 8 HR), OF Kaleo Eldridge (.349, 7 HR, 28 RBI), C-1B Haley Woods (.310, 16 HR, 56 RBI)

Pitching Matchup

Maine Black Bears California Golden Bears

ERA W-L Ks ERA W-L Ks

RH Sarah Bennis 1.52 10-9 111 RH Kristina Thorson 0.88 23-3 182

Outlook: The Black Bears will have their hands full with the Golden Bears, who are ranked No. 2 in one national poll and No. 3 in another. Cal is batting .291 and has a team ERA of 1.78. Maine catcher Lindsey Tibbetts must watch Cal’s speed as four players have at least 15 stolen bases. Thorson pitched a perfect game against Virginia on March 12. Cal also can bring in Kelly Anderson (1.39 ERA, 23-8) if needed. Maine’s top pitching substitute will be Jenna Merchant (1.56, 10-5), the America East Pitcher of the Year, who has struggled in her last two starts.