Cal Baseball vs. Stanford Cardinal on Pac-12 Networks Sunday gamethread

Cal Baseball (17-20, 6-10 in Pac-12) at Stanfurd (17-18, 6-10 in Pac-12)

When: 2 PM

TV: Pac-12 Networks

Radio: KALX (90.7 FM)

The Golden Bears got an important win on Saturday afternoon at Sunken Diamond down at the Farm. After jumping out to a 2-0 lead which became 3-1 after 4, the Bears starter Daulton Jefferies labored in innings 5 and 6 to leave with the Bears trailing 4-3. Senior Devon Rodriguez got a big RBI single to tie things up at 4 for the Bears. With ex-closer (it's now by a committee) Trevor Hildenberger on the mound, he held 'Furd in check in innings 8 and 9 to send this game to the extra inning. DH Brenden Farney got the key RBI single to give the Bears the lead in the top of the 10th. Freshman 3B Lucas Erceg then followed with a two RBI single to make the final score 7-4.

Bears tagged 'Furd starter Cal Quantrill (somewhat confusing given the 'Furd commentators on the feed saying positive things about "Cal") for 3 runs in 7 innings, but didn't get to AJ Vanegas until his 3rd inning of work.

With Trevor Hildenberger throwing 2.2 innings, it is questionable whether he would be available for the Bears today, despite his sidearm motion supposedly putting less strain on his arm.

On Sunday, the Bears will rely on senior lefty Kyle Porter.

Cal Line-Up For Saturday
No.    Pos.    Player    2014 Stats
23    CF Aaron Knapp, Fr.    .261, 6 RBI, 1 HR 
2      RF Derek Campbell, Jr.      .265, 15 RBI, 5 HR 
33    1B Devon Rodriguez, Sr.    .262, 18 RBI, 3 HR
21    DH Brenden Farney, Jr.
17    3B Lucas Erceg, Fr.    .188, 3 RBI, 2 HR 
25    LF Brian Celsi, So.    .274, 10 RBI, 0 HR 
20    2B Robbie Tenerowicz, Fr.    .103, 1 RBI, 1 HR
30    C Mitchell Kranson, So.    .235, 10 RBI, 0 HR
37    SS Mike Reuvekemp, Sr. 
16    LHP Kyle Porter, Sr. (Sun.)    4-4, 2.97 ERA
42    RHP Ryan Mason, So. (Mon.)    3-0, 2.32 ERA

Bears may also use Nick Halamandaris at 1B and/or Devin Pearson in the outfield.

SS Mike Reuvekemp had missed the last month plus due to an injury. His return and the insertion of freshmen Erceg, Tenerowicz, and Knapp to the starting lineup a couple of weeks ago may be the difference for the Bears going forward. From the Daily Cal preview of this series,

Shortstop Mike Reuvekamp could not take it any longer. On March 15, against UCLA, the  senior had to come out of the game due to a broken hamate bone he had suffered in the opening series of the season against Texas.

The fiery fifth-year player would be sorely missed for the next month of the season, as the team would post a 6-13 record in his absence.

"When Reuvekamp went out, that was a big blow to us," said coach David Esquer. "His spirit and energy are big to our team. We had won all our games against the big opponents with Reuvekamp in there. He was the heart and soul of our team, and we had lost that."

With a sub 0.500 record right now, the Golden Bears need to basically win every remaining series (taking at least 2 of 3) to be eligible for the postseason. Having 8 wins under their belt against ranked opponents already this year, a winning record should be sufficient for the Bears to make it to a NCAA regional.

This somewhat unusual Saturday-Monday series is supposedly due to the Pac-12 Networks TV schedule. Monday's game at 6 pm will also be broadcasted on the Pac-12 Networks.

ROLL ON YOU BEARS!