Cal Loses In Walk-Off At No. 10 Florida State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – California spoiled a stellar pitching performance by Josh White and squandered a late two-run lead in a 4-3 walk-off loss at No. 10 Florida State on Friday night at Dick Howser Stadium.
 
The Golden Bears held a 3-1 lead entering the home half of the eighth inning before surrendering a game-tying two-run home run to Alex Toral and later a walk-off single by James Tibbs in the ninth. Cal moved to 5-4 overall with its first loss against a nationally-ranked foe after starting the season 2-0 in such games. Florida State improved to 6-4.
 
White delivered another standout effort on the mound, striking out a career-high 11 of the 21 batters he faced. The right-hander allowed just one run on three hits and a pair of walks before leaving the game after five innings pitched with Cal in front, 3-1.
 
Both Chris Stamos and Christian Becerra worked one scoreless inning of relief apiece following White's start. Mitchell Scott took over in the eighth and allowed the two-run, game-tying home run to Toral with two outs. Aaron Roberts walked the first two batters faced in the ninth, leading to another pitching change with Henrik Reinertsen coming out of the bullpen. Cal got its first out on a heads-up play by Cole Elvis to get the lead runner at third base on a bunt, but a walk loaded the bases and set up Tibbs' walk-off single with two outs.
 
Cal struck first when Hance Smith homered to left field in the second inning. The Bears appeared to take a two-run advantage later in the inning when Keshawn Ogans homered to right field, but the junior shortstop was called out after failing to touch home plate. An RBI double by Dylan Beavers in the third scored Trevor Tishenkel from first base to make it a 2-0 ballgame.
 
The Bears out-hit Florida State, 7-6, with Beavers and Nathan Martorella tallying two hits apiece at the top of the order.
 
White remained without a decision on the season despite owning a 1.10 ERA and .164 batting average against in 16.1 innings pitched.
 
UP NEXT
The second game of Cal's weekend series at Florida State will start at 1 p.m. PT. No live stream will be available.
 
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