The Bears (14-8) closed the game out in the fourth frame by tacking on four runs. Three straight singles from Taylor Kelly, Shannon Houston, and Valerie Arioto each scored a run for California.
Erike Racklin and Gina Leomiti each collected RBI singles in the sixth inning to put the Bears up 7-1.
The lead was cut in the seventh when Elizabeth Ferrell reached and later scored on a Sara Williams single to center field.
WKU (7-8) tied the game in the third inning at 1-1 after a Kelsey McCauley double to left center scored Rachelle Boucher.
The Hilltoppers had a chance in the first inning when McCauley tripled with one out, but was held at third with two fly outs. McCauley reached third again in the fifth after walking and advancing on a pass ball, but again was unable to reach home plate.
Jennifer Kempf (2-5) took the loss after 3.2 innings of work. McCauley finished the contest 2-for-3 with a RBI, double and a triple.
Brittany LaRosa earned the victory pitching six innings and giving up only three hits and two runs. Arioto and Racklin each finished 3-for-4.
WKU will be back on the field Wednesday when it heads to Clarksville, Tenn., to face Austin Peay in a double header beginning at 3 p.m. (CST).
