Bears Open 2024 With Win Over No. 24 Kansas State

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. – Freshman right-handed pitcher Trey Newman showed little signs of being intimidated by No. 24 Kansas State on Friday evening. Making his collegiate debut, Newmann struck out six and scattered a hit and a walk through four innings as the California baseball team upset the Wildcats 6-3 at Salt River Field at Talkin Stick to open the 2024 MLB Desert Invitational.

Newmann’s strong day started immediately, striking out the first batter he faced. The native of Central Pointe, Ore., worked quickly throwing first-pitch strikes to the first four batters he faced. The lone blemish on his terrific start was a one-out single in the first and a walk in the third.

Cal (1-0) got on the board early thanks to a rally in the bottom of the third. Jerren Advincula led off the inning with a single to left field. Alec Ritch followed with a bunt single. With two aboard PJ Moutzouridis was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Max Handron who hit a sharp ground ball to second for an RBI. Caleb Lomavita followed with an RBI single through the left side to give Cal a 2-0 lead.

In the top of the fifth inning, Kansas State (0-1) briefly took the lead. The Wildcats scored three times off reliever Christian Becerra (1-0) in the frame. Back-to-back doubles by Daniel Rivera and Jayden Lobliner made it 3-1 Cal. Becerra was almost out of the jam when Brenden Jones hit a two-out home run over the right field fence to make it 3-2.

Cal wasted little time regaining the lead. In the home half, the bottom of the order once again started the rally. Advincula led off the inning with a single to right center. Ritch doubled down the right field line to put runners at second and third for Moutzouridis who singled sharply back up the middle scoring both runners. Cal’s 7-8-9 hitters were fantastic on Friday evening going a combined 6-for-8 with four runs scored and two runs driven in.

Becerra pitched a quick sixth inning to earn the win. He went two complete innings, allowing three runs while striking out two. Connor Sullivan and Tyler Stasiowski combined to throw three scoreless innings. Stasiowski notched his first save of the year thrillingly. Entering the game with two runners on and no outs, he struck out the first batter he faced and recorded the next two outs thanks to strong Golden Bear defense.

Rodney Green Jr. had a solid opening night, he went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and stole a base, the 31st of his career. Lomavita, Peyton Schulze, and Carson Crawford all notched RBIs.

Taking the loss for the Wildcats was reliever Josh Wintroub (0-1). He came on in relief of starter Owen Boerema and went 2.1 innings, allowing four hits and three earned runs, while striking out three. Boerema went three complete, surrendering three hits and two earned runs with four strikeouts.

UP NEXT

The Desert Invitational resumes tomorrow with Cal taking on Georgetown at noon. Saturday’s contest against the Hoyas will be streamed on MLB.com.