BERKELEY – Sophomore third baseman Lucas Erceg homered and knocked in three runs, while freshman left-hander Matt Ladrech threw a career-high 8.0 innings as Cal defeated Chicago State, 8-1, Sunday at Evans Diamond. With the win, the Golden Bears improved to 12-3 and have now won 11 of their last 12 games and completed their second sweep of the season after sweeping Kansas State last week. Cal defeated Chicago State, 21-3, Friday and, 5-4, Saturday.

After a Tuesday game at Pacific (6 p.m.), David Esquer's squad opens Pac-12 play next weekend versus Oregon, Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 15. Game times are 7 p.m., 6 p.m. and 1 p.m.

In Sunday's game against Chicago State, Erceg opened the scoring with a lead-off home run in the fourth inning. The Bears ended up scoring twice more in the fourth on a Cougar wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by junior catcher Mitchell Kranson. Cal added another run in the fifth inning on an Erceg sacrifice fly, and four more runs in the sixth inning with the help of a two-run single by sophomore center fielder Aaron Knapp and an Erceg fielder's choice RBI.

Meanwhile, Ladrech improved his record to 3-1 by throwing 8.0 innings with six hits, one run and one walk.

Knapp, junior right fielder Brian Celsi and senior first baseman Chris Paul finished with two hits apiece on the day. Celsi had a phenomenal weekend versus Chicago State, going 8-for-11 (.727) with a double, two home runs and nine RBI. On Friday night he hit a grand slam and a three-run homer and tied a school record with eight RBI in a single game.

"We have been playing well up this point, but we realize there is always room for improvement and there are still some question marks," said Esquer. "We do have a lot of people playing well right now and we are learning how to win, which is a big thing. We have been more consistent with our pitching and defense."