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Pac-12 play begins for the Pac-12 baseball team. With all the hype surrounding the men's basketball NCAA tourney game tomorrow, as well as the dread (For reasons we don't have to bring up here...) this could be a good way to take your mind of things. Plus, this is a solid Cal Baseball team you should support.
Last week, the rainy weather in the Bay Area ruined what was supposed to be a fun four game set between the Bears and Texas Tech. Instead we got a two-game series. The Friday game started 90 minutes late (and clashed when the Cal-Utah basketball game) but ended in a Cal blowout. The Saturday game was moved two hours early, and saw Cal erase a 5-0 deficit to take an 8-5 lead. Unfortunately, some poor defense in the final innings allowed Texas Tech to tie it up on a three run homer (the inning should have been over had it not been for a botched double play) and take the lead a quasi three run homer (two errors in one play allowed the batter to circle the bases) and it wound up being an 11-8 loss.
Hopefully, when Cal takes on the powerhouse Oregon State Beavers at home next week, we can get some solid support from the home crowd (although students will be gone for Spring Break) and get some big time wins.
But for now, the team is on the road in Los Angeles taking on USC. Hopefully some students back home in Southern California can show the team some support, but if not, the first two games of the series are at 7PM on Pac-12 Network National, Bay Area, Los Angeles, and on Pac-12.com. Our good friend Roxy Bernstein will be on the call with JT Snow. All 3 games will be on the radio at KALX (90.7). Saturday is 2PM and is only on radio.
PITCHING MATCHUPS
Our ace Daulton Jefferies will take the mound. He has won all four of his starts so far and has a staggering 1.04 ERA so far in the four starts. He will go up against Kyle Davis, "only" 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA.
ABOUT USC
USC has struggled a bit in the past few years, but put it all together and had a solid showing last season. They were ranked in the Top 25 polls and although they didn't host, got to play NCAA tournament games nearby but did not advance to the Super Regionals. This year however they are 7-8, but some of that is schedule, recently losing a series at No. 7 TCU. The Trojans should be tough to beat this weekend, but the Bears should be able to put up a good fight and hopefully take the series.
Go Bears!