Feb. 16, 2013

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Box Score

BERKELEY -

For the second day in a row the Cal baseball team won in dramatic fashion in extra innings, defeating Michigan, 6-5 in 10 innings on junior second baseman Mike Reuvekamp's game-winning single over the head of Wolverine left fielder Zach Zolt.

In the bottom of the 10th, freshman first baseman John Soteropulos led off the inning with a walk off of Michigan reliever Jacob Cronerworth (0-1, 2.1 innings, three hits, two runs, two walks, two strikeouts). Soteropulos was then advanced to second base on a bunt by freshman Devin Pearson, and scored the winning run on Reuvekamp's shot that cleanly sailed over Zolt's head.

The Golden Bears, who had defeated Michigan, 5-4 in 11 innings on Friday, had trailed the Wolverines, 5-4, going to into the ninth inning. In the ninth, freshman left fielder Brian Celsi led off the inning with a single to left field. Celsi was bunted to second base by junior center fielder Derek Campbell, before stealing third base to put himself in position to easily score on junior catcher Andrew Knapp's game-tying single. Knapp had knocked in the game-winning run on Friday.

The winning pitcher for the Bears was junior right-handed reliever Trevor Hildenberger, who picked up his first collegiate victory in relief, throwing 2.2 innings with no hits and no runs. Cal had also received strong relief pitching from freshman left-hander Jake Schulz, who had two strikeouts in 1.1 innings.

"Our relief pitching has been outstanding in these first two games," said Cal coach David Esquer. "They kept us in the ballgame both days and we were able to take advantage of our opportunities offensively."

The Bears had scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning on junior designated hitter Devon Rodriguez's RBI double down the right field line off of Michigan starter James Bourque (6.0 innings, seven hits, three runs, one walk, four strikeouts). The Wolverines came back with a run in the top of the third inning and exploded for four runs in the fourth inning off of Cal starter Kyle Porter and sophomore right-hander Keaton Siomkin.

Down 5-1, the Bears came back by scoring two runs in the fifth inning when Campbell walked and Knapp hit a two-run homer to left field. Cal got within, 5-4, in the seventh inning when Rodriguez had an RBI single to center field, scoring Celsi.

Rodriguez finished the day 4-for-5 with two RBI; while Knapp had three RBI and joined Reuvekamp and Celsi with two hits apiece.

The two teams will play the third game of the three-game series, Sunday, Feb. 17 at 10:30 a.m. at Evans Diamond. Sunday's game time was changed from 11 a.m. due to Michigan travel plans.