Pitching Lifts Cal Over Pacific 2-1

STOCKTON— Behind a strong outing from its pitching staff and defense the California baseball team won its final nonconference game of the season defeating Pacific on the road 2-1 at Klein Family Field.

In his second straight midweek start, freshman Tanner Grove turned in his second straight strong performance with four scoreless innings. The lefty allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out four.

The Golden Bears (25-23) got things going the second time through the order with Daniel Murillo, Lawson Olmstead, and Cade Campbell collecting three straight singles in the fourth inning to drive in the first run of the game.

An all-important second run came in the sixth with Olmstead rolling over on an RBI groundout to make it a 2-0 ball game.

Five Cal arms followed Grove out of the pen beginning with Ryan Spalliero (1-0) who picked up his second career win in the same ballpark he got his first as a freshman at Saint Mary’s. He tossed a one-hit fifth inning with a strikeout.

Two freshmen paired up for three outs in the sixth with Jett Wright fanning two batters but allowing one run that cut the lead in half. Cade Colombara entered with two runners on and struck out the final Tiger to end the inning.

Trent Roach was the fourth freshman to make an appearance and with the help of his defense hung a pair of zeroes on the scoreboard. After allowing the first two runners to reach on singles, Gannon Snyder made a diving catch on a bloop in right field to get the first out and Carl Schmidt cut down a runner at home plate with an outfield assist to keep the Bears’ lead intact.

Senior Cole Clark entered in the ninth and retired the Tigers in order to earn his third save of the year.

The series wraps up tomorrow with Game 3 set for 1:05 p.m. PT on ACCNX.