Bears Win Big Series

BERKELEY – Quentin Selma blasted a go-ahead grand slam and Dylan Beavers added a three-run home run as California claimed an early lead and then hung on late to clinch its first Big Series since 2014 with a 9-5 win against No. 12 Stanford.
 
With rivalry bragging rights and Cal's narrow postseason hopes on the line, an eight-run fourth inning by the Golden Bears proved critical Sunday afternoon at Evans Diamond. Cal improved to 26-22 overall and 12-12 in Pac-12 play with the victory.
 
Cal struck out seven times its first trip through the batting order against Stanford starter Quinn Mathews, but flipped the script against the left-hander in the fourth frame. Facing a 1-0 deficit, a leadoff double by Beavers and walks issued to Nathan Martorella and Darren Baker loaded the bases for Selma, who mashed his third home run of the series to right field for a go-ahead grand slam. The Bears added four more runs, all unearned, in the fourth after a Stanford fielding error extended the inning; Connor Mack scored on a wild pitch before Beavers knocked a three-run shot to right field in his second at bat of the frame.
 
With a seven-run cushion in hand, Cal starter Grant Holman worked into the seventh before finishing his day with 6.1 innings pitched and eventually his first win of the season. The right-hander struck out four, issued just one walk and allowed two runs while scattering eight hits.
 
Stanford (28-12, 13-8 Pac-12) made things interesting shortly after Holman's day came to an end in the top of the seventh. The Cardinal cut its deficit to 8-5 with a pair of home runs – a three-run home run by Tommy Troy and a solo shot from Brock Jones – in the frame before Ian Villers induced an inning-ending groundout to halt the rally. Stanford put another two runners on base in the eighth against Sam Stoutenborough before he escaped the jam with a flyout to center field.
 
Cal added an insurance run in the eighth when Steven Zobac scored on a groundout by Cole Elvis. Stanford put two runners on the base paths in the ninth before Mitchell Scott registered his second save of the season with a game-ending strikeout.
 
NOTABLES

• Cal clinched its first overall Big Series win since 2014 and its first in Berkeley since 2009.
• The series win was Cal's first against a nationally-ranked opponent since taking two of three vs. No. 15 UCLA on March 29-31, 2018.
• The Bears are 3-3 against nationally-ranked opponents this season.
• Quentin Selma is the second Bear this season to homer in three consecutive games, joining Dylan Beavers (May 1-4). Selma now owns six career home runs against Stanford, having previously hit a trio in the 2019 Big Series.
• Cal scored 12 of its 16 runs in the series off of home runs. The Bears hit six total home runs in the series.

 
UP NEXT
The rivalry continues Monday as Cal faces Stanford for a fourth time in as many days, this time in non-conference action. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. PDT at Sunken Diamond in Stanford.
 
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