When: 12:30 pm PT
Radio: KALX
Gametracker
The Bears somehow held on for a 3-2 win, marking their first win in the Pac-12 this season. As a change of pace, it was Cal that jumped out to the early lead with some help from miscues by their opponent. Two Arizona State errors helped Cal score two unearned runs, and Chadd Krist hit a monstrous home run in the 6th to expand the lead to 3-0. Meanwhile, Matt Flemer was busy turning in another stellar performance on the mound. But Arizona State put on a strong comeback attempt, scoring two runs in the 7th before leaving runners at 2nd and 3rd, stranding a leadoff double in the 8th, then leaving the bases loaded in the 9th. It wasn't pretty in the end, but a win is a win, especially when you start the conference season 0-4.
A win in today's series finale would raise Cal's conference record to 2-4, which isn't great but isn't crushingly bad considering starting the season with two straight series against ranked opponents. But 1-5 would be a tough, tough hole to recover from. Kyle Porter will be pitching this afternoon to prevent that outcome. Porter had a rough start last Sunday against the Beavers and will be looking to bounce back against the Sun Devils. He'll face TBA, who sounds mysteriously scary. Go Bears!