Cal Baseball Finishes Fall With Two Scrimmages

BERKELEY – The Cal baseball program will conclude its 2014 fall practice with two scrimmages this weekend, traveling to Santa Clara for a 1 p.m. contest at Schott Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15; before hosting Pepperdine in a scrimmage beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at Evans Diamond. Admission is free and opened to the general public.

Last weekend at Evans Diamond (Nov. 7-9), David Esquer’s squad played its annual Blue-Gold Series with the Blue squad – featuring top sophomores Aaron Knapp, Daulton Jefferies and Lucas Erceg – defeating the veteran Gold squad – featuring seniors Chris Paul and Brenden Farney and junior Devin Pearson – two of three games (Blue team won 4-2 and 10-4, Gold team won 13-2).

Looking to keep the momentum going after an outstanding finish to last season, the Golden Bears won four of its last five Pac-12 series in 2014, including road series at Stanford, USC and Oregon. Additionally, Cal showed its ability with home series wins versus Utah and 2012 NCAA champion Arizona, as well as early-season victories over Texas, Arkansas, Auburn and Baylor.

“Playing in the country’s best conference poses a perennial challenge,” said Cal coach David Esquer. “But, series wins at Stanford, USC and Oregon – added to home series over Utah and Arizona and undefeated play in tournaments at Auburn and San Diego – should serve as inspiration for our team as we look ahead to the 2015 season.

The Bears did lose a strong senior class from 2014 to graduation, but return several young players who gained valuable experience in 2014 and will be key performers in 2015.

A top pitcher for Esquer’s squad will be 6-7 junior right-hander Ryan Mason, who finished his sophomore season 7-1 with a 3.06 ERA, including victories over Texas, Baylor, Washington, Stanford, Arizona, USC and Oregon. Another top returner is junior outfielder Pearson, who struggled with injuries in 2014, but had a stellar freshman year when he batted .302. Senior infielders Farney (.308 average in 2014) and Paul (2014 Northwoods League All-Star) will also supply the Bears with experience in 2015.

“Looking ahead to next spring, we are progressing toward our goal of returning to postseason play and a chance to return to the College World Series,” said Esquer, who was the National Coach of the Year in 2011 when he led the Bears to Omaha. “With the experience gained in 2014 by our four full-time freshman players (third baseman Lucas Erceg, outfielder Aaron Knapp, right-hander Daulton Jefferies, infielder Robbie Tenerowicz), a group of hungry sophomores and juniors, and a solid freshman recruiting class, the future of Cal baseball looks bright.”

The Bears will be hosting a three-game series against Duke, Feb. 13-15 at Evans Diamond to open the 2015 season. Cal will also be hosting a four-game series versus 2014 CWS participant UC Irvine Feb. 20-22, as well as Pac-12 series versus Oregon (March 13-15), Washington State (April 2-4), Stanford (April 10-12), Arizona State (May 1-3) and USC (May 16-18).

Baseball fans should be on the lookout for the announcement of the date of other Cal baseball special events as well, including the fourth annual Fanfest at Evans Diamond in the spring prior to the opening series versus Duke.