April 10, 2011

Final Stats Game One | Game Two Stats

TUCSON, Ariz. -

Despite a four run eighth inning, the No. 13 California Golden Bears fell short of a full comeback, falling to the No. 22 Arizona Wildcats, 10-8 in game one of Sunday's doubleheader. In game two, the Bears used a four-run inning, five-run inning, and a six-run inning to take the final game against the Wildcats, 17-7.

The Bears and Wildcats were playing a twin bill after Saturday afternoon's game was rained out. The two teams took the field at 10:30 in the morning to begin their marathon day of baseball.

In the first game, Arizona jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the third inning, scoring four runs off sophomore starter Justin Jones in the frame.

Cal scored a run in the fourth, on a RBI single from sophomore first baseman Devon Rodriguez, and another in the fifth, on an RBI from sophomore outfielderVince Bruno, but each time Arizona countered in the bottom of the inning, making it a 7-2 game after five.

After both teams scored a pair of runs in the sixth and went scoreless in the seventh, Cal had a big eighth inning with a triple from sophomore centerfielder Darel Matthews helping to plate four runs. The Bears could have had an even bigger inning as they loaded the bases with one out, but Arizona reliever Nick Cunningham got back-to-back strikeouts to keep the Wildcats up 9-8.

Arizona scored another run in the bottom of the eighth to extend their lead to 10-8. Cal had another opportunity in the ninth with freshman Andrew Knapp and Bruno reaching base, but the Bears couldn't plate a run.

Freshman outfielderLouie Lechich went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two driven in. Matthews was 2-for-4 with an RBI triple. Sophomore second baseman Tony Renda went 4-for-5 with a run driven in.

Jones took the loss, going 4.1 innings, allowing 10 hits, seven runs (all earned), striking out three, and walking four.

In the second game, the Bears bats exploded for a 17-7 victory. Vince Bruno went 4-for-6 with three runs driven in.

The Bears, who had 18 hits in the first game, matched that total in game two, this time turning the timely hits into 17 runs.

The Bears scored four runs in the second inning, jumping out to a 4-0 lead after Bruno hit a two-RBI single to center field with the bases loaded followed by a single from junior short stop Marcus Semien that, aided by a Wlidcat error, plated another two runs. After Arizona tied the game in the fourth, Cal answered with a five-run fifth inning that included a triple from Renda and a solo home run sophomore third baseman Mitch Delfino.

Cal saved their biggest scoring outburst for the eighth inning. The rally began with two outs and the bases empty. Matthews hit his second triple of the day in the inning, scoring on a throwing error on the same play, one of five hits in the inning for the Bears.

Cal added another pair of runs in the ninth on a two-RBI single to left from Renda.

Senior right-hander Kevin Miller, coming into the game in relief in the fourth inning, got the win, pitching four innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits with three strikeouts and a walk.

Delfino went two-for-five with three runs scored, hitting his second home run of the season. Bruno was 4-for-6 with three runs driven in and two runs scored. Renda was 4-for-6 with 3 RBI and two runs scored. All nine batters had at least one hit and five batters had multi-hit games.

The Bears, who are now 20-9 overall and 6-3 in the Pac-10, do not have a midweek game this coming week. They will be back in action on Friday, April 15 when they head to Seattle to take on the Washington Huskies.