Baseball Recap: Cal Rolls Past Ducks 4-1, Streak Halted At Eight

BERKELEY, California— All good things must come to an end, and the Ducks’ eight-game winning streak did just that Sunday, as Cal silenced Oregon and it’s offense 4-1 at Evans Diamond.

Bears’ starter Joey Matulovich (3-0) shut down the Ducks’ offense all day, pitching eight-plus innings of stellar ball, allowing only one run on six hits, while striking out one without issuing a walk.

For the Ducks, starter sophomore lefty Cole Stringer (2-1) pitched well enough to win, allowing only two runs on four hits while striking out two and walking two, but was the victim of poor run support. Stringer was pulled after four innings and replaced by freshman lefty James Acuna, who pitched a stellar two innings, only allowing a single base hit while striking out one. Sophomore righty Parker Kelly didn’t fare as well, giving up two runs on two hits, including a home run to Bears’ third baseman Denis Karas in the seventh. Senior right hander Connor Zwetsch pitched a third of an inning, allowing one hit and walking one.

The Ducks’ offense could never get untracked, managing only two extra base hits— both doubles— while leaving eight men on base. The Ducks would score their only run in the seventh, after freshman third baseman Spencer Steer hit an RBI sacrifice fly, bringing home freshman right fielder Matthew Dyer, who had doubled to lead off the inning. Oregon (13-5, 2-1) would load the bases with two out in the top of the ninth, but Bears’ reliever Erik Martinez struck out redshirt freshman pinch hitter Braden Stutzman to end the game and preserve the victory for Cal (9-9, 1-2).

Next up for Oregon, it’s Happy I Hate washington Week - Baseball style, as the huskies come to PK Park for a three game series beginning this Friday the 24th. First pitch scheduled for 7:00 pm.

Game notes: Matulovich coaxed twelve fly outs from the Ducks’ hitters on the day... junior first baseman Kyle Kasser’s streak of reaching base safely ended today at seventeen games.