April 1, 2011

Final Stats

BERKELEY -

The USC Trojans snapped Cal's seven game win streak, handing the Bears a 10-6 loss Friday afternoon at Evans Diamond. Junior catcher Chadd Krist hit his 13th double of the season, scoring twice for the Bears.

The Bears starter Erik Johnson had a rocky start, giving up five runs in the first five innings. The Trojans Ricky Oropesa hit a pair of home runs, a two run shot in the first and a two-run shot in the fifth to propel the USC offense.

Trailing 5-0, Cal came roaring back in the bottom of the fifth, sending ten men to the plate and tying the game, 5-5. Freshman DH Andrew Knapp started the inning, doubling to left center, one of six hits in the inning for the Bears, including back-to-back-to-back singles from junior catcher Chadd Krist, sophomore first baseman Devon Rodriguez, and sophomore third baseman Mitch Delfino.

The Trojans scored a run in the sixth, retaking the lead 6-5. They would never trail again, adding a single run in the seventh, two in the eighth, and one more in the ninth.

Cal showed life in the bottom of the ninth. Krist doubled to start the inning, scoring on an RBI single from Rodriguez. The Bears couldn't advance Rodriguez, with the next three batters falling to give the Trojans the 10-6 victory. The Trojans ten runs were the most allowed by the Cal pitching staff in a game so far this season.

"We're not going to overreact to this loss," said Cal head coach David Esquer. "The Trojans scored in seven of the nine innings. It is hard to win ball games when that happens. Today, it was their [number one] guy beating our [number one] guy. It was hand to hand combat out there, and they won. Today. We'll get them tomorrow."

Junior Logan Scott took the loss, working 2.1 innings of relief, allowing four runs on five hits to drop his record to 1-1. Johnson got a no-decision.

Krist went 2-for-4 with a double, scoring twice and driving in a run. Rodriguez went 2-for-5 with 2 RBI.

Game two of the series will be on Saturday, April 2 when junior right-hander Justin Jones will take the mound for the Bears. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.