Midweek Loss At Evans

BERKELEY – California cranked out 12 hits, including three by Darren Baker and a pair from John Lagattuta, but could not produce with runners in scoring position in a 6-3 loss to Saint Mary's Wednesday night at Evans Diamond.
 
The Golden Bears were 3-for-12 at the plate with runners in scoring position, with Lagattuta (2-for-4) tallying two of those three hits. The loss was Cal's fourth straight and dropped the Bears to 18-17 overall heading into this weekend's home series against Pac-12 foe Washington State.
 
Saint Mary's (18-16) jumped ahead 4-0 by the end of the third inning with a pair of home runs by Blake Mann. The junior right fielder tagged Cal starter Nick Proctor with a solo home run in the second before adding a three-run shot against Mitchell Scott in the third. Despite the rocky start, Cal's staff settled in during the later stages of the game, allowing just one bunt single from the fourth inning on. Two Cal errors in the seventh and a bases-loaded walk in the ninth led to SMC's pair of insurance runs.
 
Trailing 5-2 in the eighth, Cal made it a two-run deficit when John Lagattuta doubled into the left-center gap to score Quentin Selma, who led off the inning with a single and advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. Nothing else came of the opportunity; Cal's next three batters went down in order, leaving Lagattuta at third base.
 
Lagattuta plated Cal's first run of the game with a single to left field in the fourth while Dom Souto scored on a failed pick-off attempt in the seventh.
 
NOTABLES

• Cal and Saint Mary's closed the book on a six-game season series Wednesday. The Bears won four of the six games dating back to March 4.
• Cal's 12 hits were its most in a game since tallying 12 at Utah on March 27.
• Darren Baker (3-for-5) had his 11th career three-hit game and extended his reached-base streak to 40 consecutive games.
• Dom Souto tallied his first career hit with a double in the seventh inning. Souto made his second career start and first of the season behind the dish, catching all nine innings while going 1-for-3 with one run scored.
• Dylan Beavers stole two bases in addition to his pair of hits Wednesday. He's a perfect 6-for-6 in stolen base attempts.
• Brian McClellin started at shortstop, making his first appearance since March 30.
• Ian Villers struck out a pair in one hitless inning of relief. He's allowed just one run in his past five appearances on the mound.

 
UP NEXT
Cal opens its Pac-12 series against Washington State at 7 p.m. (PDT) Friday at Evans Diamond. The Pac-12 Network will carry the action.
 
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