Time: 12:00 pm PST
Video Stream: Riceowls.com
Audio Stream: KALX radio
Gametracker
It's a big day for Cal sports! To follow Cal rugby at the 7s Invitational (playing at 11:10 and 1:00 PST) click here!
Cal couldn't complete what would have been a pretty epic comeback against Baylor, finally falling 6-4. Alcorn State never got close to a comeback, allowing runs in six different innings during a 14-2 loss. Both teams will be playing to continue their season today.
I haven't been able to find any confirmation, but I have to assume that Justin Jones will be pitching for Cal against the Braves. It wouldn't shock me if Coach Esquer tried to save Jones for a potential game three against the Rice/Baylor loser, assuming that his offense and either Kevin Miller or Dixon Anderson would be enough to beat an inferior Alcorn St. team. But I'm guessing he wouldn't risk heading home without putting his best on the mound.
The key to stopping Alcorn St. is to stop their running game - the Braves have the 3rd most steals in the NCAA. Rice did it by keeping them off the base paths in the first place, but pressure will be on Cal's pitchers and Chadd Krist to stop Alcorn St. from running wild. And the goal at the plate is to abuse a pitching staff that was roughed up badly by Rice and has generally struggled all year long. It's do-or-die time the rest of the weekend, and this is a team that should know what it feels like to play baseball on the brink. Go Bears!