March 21, 2011

Box Score

BERKELEY - Behind the brilliant pitching of senior right-hander Kevin Miller, the No. 16-ranked Cal baseball team (13-5) recorded its fifth shutout of the season with a 2-0 victory over Nevada (4-12) Monday (March 21) at Evans Diamond. Miller improved his record to 2-1 and lowered his ERA to 0.61 by throwing 7.0 innings with six hits, no runs, no walks and nine strikeouts.

The Golden Bears scored their two runs in the first three innings. Cal notched a run in the bottom of the first inning off of Nevada starter Mark Joukoff (1-4, 7.0 innings, six hits, two runs, two walks, three strikeouts) when junior shortstop Marcus Semien forced a one-out walk and then later scored on junior catcher Chadd Krist's RBI double to right field.

The Bears added their second run in the third off Joukoff when sophomore left fielder Vince Bruno led off the inning with a double to right center field, was sacrificed to third base by Semien, and then scored on sophomore second baseman Tony Renda's RBI ground out.

That was the only offense Cal needed as the Bears not only got strong pitching from Miller, but from freshman left-hander Kyle Porter and junior closer Matt Flemer as well. Porter threw one inning with a walk and two strikeouts, while Flemer earned his second save of the year with one inning, one hit and no runs.

Miller has been extremely effective his senior year, not only producing an impressive ERA, but striking out 32 batters in 29.1 innings with only three walks on the year.

Offensively, Bruno and sophomore center fielder Darrel Matthews led Cal with two hits apiece against the Wolfpack.

The Bears will next start Pac-10 play with a three-game series versus Washington State (9-7), March 25-27 at Evans Diamond. Game times are 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 25, and 1 p.m. March 26 and March 27.