March 3, 2011

Box Score

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. -

Powered by a five-run second inning which included a grand slam by junior shortstop Marcus Semien, the No. 14-ranked Cal baseball team defeated host University of San Diego, 6-2, Thursday (March 3) during the first day of the San Diego Tournament at Cunningham Stadium. The Golden Bears (6-1), who won their fourth game in a row, were also led by junior catcher Chadd Krist's RBI double in the seventh inning and six solid innings from junior starter Dixon Anderson.

Cal was able to produce big in the second inning off of San Diego starter Dylan Covey (1-1, 5.0 innings, four hits, five runs, five walks, six strikeouts). With the bases loaded, senior designated hitter Austin Booker knocked in an RBI with an infield single and then Semien hit his first career grand slam with a shot to left field to give the Bears a 5-0 advantage.

San Diego was able to get within, 5-2, with single runs in the fifth and sixth innings off of Anderson (1-1, 6.0 innings, six hits, two runs, three walks, one strikeout), but Krist gave Cal some cushion with a run in the seventh inning. With one out in the seventh, sophomore second baseman Tony Renda doubled, and then scored on Krist's double to left field.

The Bears received strong relief pitching following Anderson. Freshman left-hander Kyle Porter went 2.0 innings with one hit, one walk and four strikeouts, and junior right-hander Matt Flemer pitched the ninth inning with no hits and a strikeout.

"Along with Semien's grand slam in the second inning our pitching and defense was good," said Cal coach David Esquer. "Offensively we couldn't quite put them away, but Krist's RBI double in the seventh inning was a key for us because it gave us a four-run lead."

The Bears will next play at San Diego State's Tony Gwynn Stadium on Friday, March 4 at 6 p.m. Cal then takes on No. 3-ranked Oklahoma at Tony Gwynn Stadium on Saturday, March 5 at 1 p.m. and No. 22-ranked Connecticut at Tony Gwynn Stadium on Sunday, March 6 at 1 p.m.