March 27, 2011

Box Score

BERKELEY, Calif. - Marcus Semien's RBI-double in the bottom of the 11th inning lifted No. 16 California to a 4-3 victory over Washington State at Evans Diamond, Sunday.

With the victory, the Golden Bears (16-5) completed a three-game sweep of Washington State (9-10) in the Pacific-10 Conference opening series for both schools.

"We were better today than the first couple of games," WSU Head Coach Donnie Marbut said. "This one hurts a lot because when you have a two-run lead with one strike left to get, you feel pretty good about your chances to win."

California was down to its last strike in the bottom of the ninth inning trailing 3-1 against Cougar closer Paris Shewey when Semien singled. Tony Renda followed with a single and moved into scoring position when he and Semien executed a double steal. Chadd Krist followed with a two-run single to tie the game.

In the 11th, Vince Bruno reached on an error with one out against Bret DeRooy (1-2). On a 3-2 pitch with Bruno running, Semien doubled into the right-field corner for the game-winner.

Washington State took a 1-0 lead in the third on a double by Cody Bartlett, a sacrifice bunt by Trace Tam Sing and a sacrifice fly by Collin Slaybaugh. Derek Jones increased the lead to 2-0 in the fifth with his third home run of the season.

California picked up a run in the fifth against Cougar starter Chad Arnold on a double, a wild pitch and a ground out. Arnold gave up the one run on two hits with two strikeouts and did not walk a batter in five innings.

Richie Ochoa logged two-shutout innings of relief for Washington State and the Cougars extended the lead in the seventh on a double by Matt Argyropoulos, a ground out by Jason Monda and an RBI-fielder's choice by Taylor Ard.

Shewey relieved Ochoa in the eighth and pitched three innings for Washington State. Matt Flemer (1-1) struck out four in two innings out of the bullpen to pick up the victory for California.

Washington State hosts Gonzaga at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday.