5-Run Seventh Drives 6-4 Husky Comeback Win Over Cal

BERKELEY, Calif. - The Huskies took the field under a setting California sun down at Stu Gordon Stadium following a longer than normal break tonight. With no weeknight game, Washington was eager to face an evenly matched California team in hopes of climbing back into the win column. The Golden Bears weren't about to simply hand over a win though, as the Huskies would soon find out.

Bottom of 2
Starter Jared Engman got the leadoff batter to fly out down the left field line and followed that with a three-pitch strike out. The inning was far from over however. The next batter singled up the middle. Second baseman Josh Urps ranged over and almost made a fabulous play throwing back across his body over to first, but it was just a bit late. The fourth batter of the inning drew a full count walk to put two on. The next batter would make the Dawgs pay as he dropped one over the right field fence. The next batter went down on four pitches, but the out came one batter too late. The Golden Bears were now on top 3-0.

Bottom of 5
The leadoff batter singled through the left side, stole second, and quickly found himself on third base following a passed ball. The next batter walked on four pitches to put runners on the corners. An RBI double followed leaving Cal with runners on second and third. Bryce Armstrong replaced Engman on the mound and pitched a couple fly ball outs. Cal would head to the sixth inning up 4-0.

Top of 7
Michael Snyder led off the inning and reached on a throwing error from the third baseman. Lefty Colby Wallace made him pay by lacing a double to the opposite field, scoring Snyder on the play to put the Dawgs on the board. One out later, Josh Urps doubled to the wall in right center scoring Wallace. Following a second out, Johnny Tincher dropped one into shallow right field scoring Urps on the play. Next up, Will Simpson reached on the second error of the inning by the third baseman which resulted in Washington runners on second and third.  Coby Morales stepped in next looking to do more than just tie the game and, sure enough, he delivered smoking one off the wall in right center! Both Simpson and Tincher scored on the play to give the Dawgs a 5-4 lead.

Bottom of 7
Coach Meggs took no chances and went to his ace, Stefan Raeth, who stepped on the mound and proceeded to retire the side in order, including two strikeouts.

Top of 8
With one out, Josh Urps took a pitch to his back leg and headed to first. Next, the second baseman misplayed a McKay Barney shorthop gifting him first base on the fielding error. The next batter, Tincher, was nicked on the elbow pad by a high inside pitch to load the bases. Simpson stepped in eager to tack on an insurance run and did just that with a sacrifice fly to center that scored Urps. The Dawgs now owned a 6-4 advantage and would hang on as Raeth retired the next six batters in order, including strikeouts to the final three.

Starter Jared Engman went 4 innings, giving up 4 earned runs on 8 hits with 4 walks and 3 strikeouts. Bryce Armstrong earned the win (1-0) holding the Golden Bears scoreless over 2 innings with 1 hit, 1 walk, and 2 strikeouts. Stefan Raeth earned the win (2) going 3 innings, facing the minimum 9 batters, with 5 strikeouts.