SEATTLE – California slugged its way back to even up the series, defeating No. 24 Washington 12-7 on Friday night at Husky Ballpark.
The Golden Bears once again struck first in the top of the first inning. This time by a solo home run from Max Handron, his ninth of the year and the first of five Cal home runs. Carson Crawford and Caleb Lomavita combined to hit the other four, giving the Cal (23-26, 11-18) pitching staff all the run support it needed. The five home runs by the Bears give them 24 in the month of May and 78 for the year; the fourth most they have hit since 1971.
Lomavita led the Bears going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and three driven in. His home run in the top of the fourth made it 9-1 in favor of the Bears. His two home runs give him 13 for the year. Crawford finished the evening going 2-for-5 with two runs scored, he drove in a career-high five RBI thanks to a three-run home run in the third to blow it up and a crucial two-run home run in the ninth to provide the Bears some breathing room. His two home runs give him 11 on the season, he is the fourth Bear with 10 or more home runs this year.
Washington (33-15, 17-11 Pac-12) refused to go quietly. After falling behind 10-1 through five and a half the Huskies scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth and added a run in the eighth to make it a 10-7 ball game. The big hit in the sixth was a two-run single from pinch-hitter Sam DeCarlo that capped off the five-run outburst.
Chris Stamos (3-3) was credited with the win for Cal. He went three complete, allowing just two hits and a run, a solo home run to catcher Johnny Tincher in the second. Stamos also struck out three. Andres Galan pitched 2.2 innings in relief and was roughed up for five runs on four hits. Tyler Stasiowski earned his third save of the season going 3.1 innings, striking out four.
Kiefer Lord (6-4) takes the loss. Lord gave up a season-high nine earned runs in 3.1 innings of work. He allowed seven hits, two walks and struck out two.
With the win tonight combined with Washington State’s loss to Stanford, Cal controls their postseason fate in the rubber match tomorrow. A win for Cal and they secure the ninth seed in the Pac-12 Baseball Tournament. Cal can also secure a berth in the tournament with a Washington State loss.
UP NEXT
The rubber match between the Bears and Huskies is scheduled to start at 12:05 p.m. Saturday’s game will be televised on the Pac-12 Network. Paulshawn Pasqualotto will get the start for Cal.
