Bears Split Doubleheader Saturday

BERKELEY – California earned a doubleheader split Saturday against UIC but ultimately dropped the weekend series following a 12-2 win and a 6-1 loss in the rubber match at Evans Diamond. The Golden Bears moved to 4-3 overall following the 1-2 weekend at home.
 
Game 1: Cal 12, UIC 2
The Bears' bats got hot early Saturday as they unloaded 12 runs on 15 hits against UIC in the front end of the doubleheader. The offensive output was more than enough support for Steven Zobac and Ian May, who worked a combined five-hitter and struck out eight Flames. Zobac (1-0) picked up the win with six innings of work before May earned the three-inning save.
 
A four-run second inning was keyed by home runs from Keshawn Ogans and Rodney Green Jr., who 3-for-5 in the contest and 5-for-8 overall in the doubleheader. Cal put the game out of reach in the sixth when Caleb Lomavita smacked a three-run long ball to left center. The Bears added one run in the seventh and a pair of the eighth to earn their biggest margin of victory this season.
 
Dylan Beavers (3-for-4) and Lomavita (3-for-4, four RBI) joined Green Jr. with three-hit efforts.
 
Game 2: UIC 6, Cal 1
The Bears fell behind early as UIC touched up starter Joseph King for three runs in 3.2 innings pitched before Cal went to the bullpen for a five-man relief effort. Trailing 3-0, Cal plated its lone run of the game when Beavers singled home Green Jr.
 
Facing just a two-run deficit in the eighth, Cal allowed three unearned runs to cross due to a throwing error and an obstruction call in an attempted run down at third base. UIC managed just one hit in the inning but was able to extend its lead to 6-1. Flames reliever Matt Zahora kept Cal's bats quiet for the final five frames en route to the win.
 
Connor Sullivan tossed 3.0 scoreless innings of relief for Cal.
 
UP NEXT
Cal's four-game homestand concludes Tuesday as it hosts Sacramento State at 5 p.m. PT at Evans Diamond.
 
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