SOFTBALL / COLLEGE WORLD SERIES : Northridge Takes Step Closer to Showdown With Arizona

Although there are at least six games to play before the championship game of the Women’s College World Series, many are already gearing up for a possible Monday final between favorites Arizona and Cal State Northridge.

Both teams took another step toward that matchup with second-round victories Friday in front of 2,793 at Hall of Fame Stadium.

Third-ranked Northridge (51-8) jumped on Utah in the first inning with Beth Calcante’s two-run home run and never looked back in a 5-1 victory.

The Matadors’ eight-hit performance reinforced Utah Coach Jo Evans’ opinion of Northridge.

“Northridge is a great team,” Evans said. “They have great pitching, they’re solid defensively and they hit the ball like crazy.

“I think they’re going to give Arizona a great game. I couldn’t say who’s going to come out and win that one because I think they can both compete.’

Utah is 51-12.

Arizona defeated Fresno State, 3-0, in another game of Series unbeatens.