Cal vs. Arizona baseball recap: Wildcats fail to get timely hits, drop series opener to Bears

Arizona certainly had its chances on Friday night

In each of the first six innings of Friday night's game against Cal, the Arizona Wildcats put at least one runner on second base.

In each of those first six innings, and the next two, the Wildcats (24-15, 9-10 Pac-12) failed to score a run in support of Cody Hamlin. Cal (24-14, 11-8 Pac-12) took the series opener, and solidified themselves in fourth place in the Pac-12 standings with a 3-1 win.

Cal's only runs came in the fourth inning. After starting the frame with back-to-back singles, Mitchell Kranson dropped a sac bunt to move both runners into scoring position.

A wild pitch would score Chris Paul for the first run of the night

After a Devin Pearson strikeout (one of three on the night), Preston Grand Pre got the first and only hit with runners in scoring position for either team. Grand Pre drove a single to right to bring in Brett Cumberland for run No. 2.

That was the only real trouble Hamlin ran into all night. Arizona's Friday night guy lasted 7 1/3 innings, surrendering seven hits and no walks.

But just like last weekend at Oregon State, Arizona couldn't come up with a timely hit. The Wildcats were 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position on the night.

The only starters to not record a hit on the night were Bobby Dalbec and Riley Moore, the 3-hole and 4-hole hitters respectively.

Cal would tack on a run in the ninth. Kranson led off with a double, and then three batters later, Nick Halamandaris hit a double that went off Jared Oliva's glove in left to drive in their final run of the night.

Arizona sort of responded in the ninth. An Oliva double was kicked by the center fielder to allow him to advance to third. Zach Gibbons then walked, and Justin Behnke his a liner back to the pitcher. Cal's closer tried to turn the double play, but Oliva scored when Behnke was safe at first.

Scott Kingery grounded to short to end the game. It appeared he was safe at first, but the umpire called him out.

Arizona will try to even the series on Saturday night as it sends Nathan Bannister to the mound. That game is scheduled to start at 6 PM PT.

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