Thorpe pitches No. 16 Oregon past Cal 3-2

From University of Oregon Media Services

BERKELEY, Calif. - Tommy Thorpe allowed just three hits to lead No. 16 Oregon to a 3-2 Pac-12 Conference win over California at Evans Diamond on Friday night.

Thorpe, making his first career game-one series start, allowed just one hit out of the infield. California's first hit came on a bunt in the first inning and the third hit was a high chopper to third base in the seventh inning.

The Ducks' lefthander struck out seven in 7.1 innings, while allowing two runs (one earned). Jimmie Sherfy pitched a perfect ninth inning to pick up his 10th save.

J.J. Altobelli and Brett Thomas led the Ducks' offense with two hits apiece. Altobelli was 2-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored. Thomas was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

The Ducks took the early lead with a run in the top of the first inning. Mitchell Tolman singled to right center field driving in Thomas for a 1-0 lead. Oregon tried to add a run but Tolman was thrown out trying to score on a double by Scott Heineman to end the inning.

Cal tied the game with an unearned run in the bottom of the first. Devin Pearson, who was on third after a wild pickoff attempt by Thorpe, scored the run on a Devon Rodriguez ground out.

Oregon took the lead in the top of the fifth with a pair of runs. Altobelli drove in Josh Graham with a base hit to right field to put the Ducks up 2-1. Altobelli made it 3-1 scoring on a sacrifice fly by Aaron Payne.

The Bears cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth when Mike Reuvekamp scored on a wild pitch by Thorpe (10-3).

Game two between Oregon and Cal is at 6 p.m. Saturday night.