UCLA Falls to Cal, 4-2, in Game Two
LOS ANGELES – The No. 18-ranked UCLA baseball team dropped a 4-2 decision to Cal on Saturday afternoon at Jackie Robinson Stadium, giving the Golden Bears the series win with one game to go
Freshman center fielder JonJon Vaughns blasted a two-run home run in the fourth inning to open the game's scoring, but that shot would turn out be the only run production of the game for UCLA (31-18, 14-12 Pac-12).
Cal (28-23, 14-12) answered back with a four-spot in the half-inning following Vaughns's go-ahead blast to take the lead for good.
Besides Vaughns, redshirt junior second baseman Kevin Kendall (2-5) and sophomore right fielder Michael Curialle (double) had notable days with the bat.
On the pitching side, the back end of UCLA's bullpen did well on Saturday. Standouts included Max Rajcic, who struck out all five batters he faced, and Adrian Chaidez, who struck out a pair as part of a scoreless seventh inning.
Vaughns's home run came with two outs and two strikes, as he got a fastball over the plate and drilled it to the top of the roof of the Giff in right field. The shot scored Mikey Perez, who had reached earlier in the inning on a base hit.
Shortstop Keshawn Ogans had the decisive hit of Cal's go-ahead rally, finding the left-center field gap for a three-run double with one out. The Golden Bears had loaded the bases earlier in the frame on a pair of walks and a Darren Baker ground single up the middle. Catcher Cole Elvis capped the inning with an opposite field RBI single that plated Ogans.
UCLA's best chance at tying the game came in the sixth, as the first two batters of the frame – Mikey Perez and Jake Moberg – reached on a hit-by-pitch and walk, respectively. That potential rally fizzled out however on a failed sac bunt followed by an inning-ending 4-6-3 twin killing.
The Bruins look to salvage the weekend on Sunday, with the series finale scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start. UCLA's seniors will be honored in a pre-game ceremony starting approximately 20 minutes before first pitch.