Cal Jumps On Oregon Early; Takes Series Opener

Friday, April 17

Berkeley, Calif.

2:30 PM

University of Oregon

12-22, 2-8

California

17-18, 4-9

Oregon Ducks

California

Photo by: Tod Fierner

04/18/09 | Baseball

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

BERKELEY, Calif. - Nine runs in the first two innings for California put the Ducks in a hole they couldn't climb out of as Oregon suffered a 14-1 loss on Friday afternoon at Evans Diamond.

In the first game of its Pac-10 series with Cal (17-18, 4-9), the Bears tallied 16 hits and knocked around Oregon (12-22, 2-8) starter Tyler Anderson (2-4) early on.

In an uncharacteristic outing for Anderson - the freshman hadn't given up more than four runs in a start this season - the left-hander surrendered nine runs on seven hits to Cal in just 1 and 1/3 innings on the mound before he was relieved by Chris Garrison.

In the second, the Bears put seven runs on the board as Anderson walked in a run, gave up a grand slam to Jeff Kobernus and a two-run homer to Danny Oh.

In the first, California tallied three hits and scored two runs. Brian Guinn reached base after Anderson issued him a one-out walk, and moved to third when Mark Canha laced a double off the wall in left field. Kobernus' sacrifice fly to right brought Guinn home for the game's first run, and Blake Smith's two-out RBI single to right center scored Canha as the Bears took a 2-0 lead. Oh's double to left put runners on second and third, but Anderson retired Dwight Tanaka to first base ending the inning.

Garrison pitched 3 and 2/3 scoreless innings before Tanaka lined a two-run double in the right center gap giving Cal an 11-0 lead during the sixth. The Rocklin, Calif., native also gave up three runs in the eighth, finishing his day pitching 6 and 2/3 innings and allowing five runs on nine hits while striking out two.

Erik Johnson (3-3) pitched seven scoreless innings before Oregon finally began to figure the freshman right-hander out. Colby Sokol led off the eighth with a double off the left field wall, while KC Serna also found the hole in left to put runners on the corners. Johnson retired the next two batters, but Curtis Raulinaitis dropped a squeeze bunt that died 10 feet down the third base line, allowing Sokol to score the Ducks first and only run.

Cal's starter finished his day tossing eight innings and allowing just one run on six hits while dealing a career-high six strikeouts.

The Bears had 10 extra-base hits as Kobernus, Oh and Chad Krist all homered.

Kobernus led Cal going 2-for-3 at the plate with five RBIs and two runs scored with his grand slam. Oh was 2-for-5 with two RBIs, a home run and double, while Tanaka had a 2-for-5 day with two RBIs and a double. Smith was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored and a double, while Canha doubled twice.

Oregon was led at the plate by Serna (2-for-3) and Raulinaitis (2-for-4; 1 RBI).

The series resumes with a 1 p.m. start on Saturday at Evans Diamond.

Notes: Colby Sokol made his first start of the season in right field...KC Serna made his first start of the season at third base...Scott McGough made his second straight start (third of the year) at shortstop...Cal's 16 hits are the most Oregon has surrendered since Washington had 17 in a 10-2 victory over the Ducks on March 4...Cal's 14 runs are the most the Ducks have given up this season...the Ducks have now lost seven in a row.