California Baseball Narrowly Falls to San Francisco
The California Bears experienced a close contest, suffering a 10-9 defeat to the San Francisco Dons in a nonconference matchup. This intense game showcased the challenges of late-game performance for the Bears, particularly in the eighth and ninth innings.
Game Summary
San Francisco turned the tides in the latter stages of the game, rallying to score crucial runs. Eddison Esquivel’s double was pivotal, positioning Brendan Burke to drive in the winning run with a sacrifice fly. Despite a strong offensive showing from California, who had a momentary lead of 9-8 after scoring six consecutive runs, the Bears could not maintain their advantage. Earlier in the match, the Bears had found themselves down 8-3 due to a significant six-run inning by the Dons.
Performance Highlights
- Runs and Hits: San Francisco accumulated 10 runs on 11 hits, while California also posted 9 runs but matched with 11 hits.
- Key Players:
- Max Handron recorded an impressive 4 RBIs, tying his career high.
- Kalen Applefield contributed significantly as well, achieving a career-high with 3 RBIs.
Current Standings
With this loss, California’s overall record stands at 18-26 and 6-18 in ACC play. Conversely, San Francisco improved to 20-25 following their victory.
Looking Ahead
California will aim to rebound in their next nonconference game against San Jose State, scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m. PT. This matchup offers an opportunity for the Bears to regain their momentum after the tough defeat.
Conclusion
To enhance their chances of closing out close matches successfully, California must address their late-game pitching difficulties. Retaining their offensive momentum will be vital as they prepare for the upcoming encounter with San Jose State.
