BERKELEY, Calif. - The No. 11 Golden Bears conclude their eight-game homestand as they host cross-Bay rival Stanford in a non-conference game at Evans Diamond in Berkeley, on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. PT. Cal has won seven straight after sweeping then-No. 3 Oregon State two weeks ago and UCLA last week, while the Cardinal come in having just won a home series over USC this past weekend, taking two of three from the Trojans.
Tuesday night's game will be broadcast live on Pac-12 Networks by Ted Robinson and JT Snow. Live updates for Tuesday night's game will be available on Twitter @Cal_Baseball and fans are also encouraged to head to CalBears.com for game recaps and additional content throughout the course of the season.
Probable Starters
Tuesday - RHP Tanner Dodson (0-2, 3.12 ERA) vs. LHP John Hochstatter (0-0, 4.50 ERA)
Next Up
Following Tuesday's date with Stanford, the No. 11 Bears will embark on a seven-game road trip that begins in Eugene, Oregon, for a three-game set with the Oregon Ducks. That series gets underway from PK Park on Friday, April 8 at 6 p.m. PT.
Poll Position
The Bears are currently 11th in the USA Today Coaches Poll, 10th in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association poll, 11th in the D1Baseball poll, ninth in the Baseball America poll, seventh in the Perfect Game poll, and ninth in the Collegiate Baseball poll.
Cumby Is Crushing
California sophomore catcher Brett Cumberland has been hard to keep off the bases this year. The Golden Bears' leading hitter has successfully reached base in 22 of 23 games he has played this year. Cumberland didn't play in California's Feb. 28th game against Purdue in Berkeley.
Cumberland enters Tuesday's game with Stanford as the Pac-12 leader in batting average (.425), home runs (10), slugging percentage (.904) and on-base percentage (.552). He homered twice in the win on Sunday afternoon, giving him seven home runs in his last 10 games. He is also fourth in the hit-by-pitch category with seven, just behind teammate Devin Pearson (who has been plunked eight times).
As of April 4, on a national standing Cumberland has the third highest slugging percentage, eighth highest on base percentage in the country and is tied for seventh in home runs and is 19th in batting average.
Though Cal's catcher has reached base successfully in every game but one that he's played and has the highest batting average on the team, his longest hit streak is only four-games; which is currently active. However, Cumberland also has a team leading 15 walks on the season.
Cumberland Named Pac-12 POW
Sophomore catcher Brett Cumberland was named Pac-12 Player of the Week on Monday, after his tremendous week, in which the Bears went 4-0. Cumberland went 8-for-13 (.625) with three home runs and seven RBI; including a two home run, four RBI afternoon on Sunday in a sweep-clinching win over UCLA.
Comeback Bears
The Golden Bears have been quite the team on the comeback trail thus far this season after coming back from a 4-0 deficit on Tuesday to beat San Francisco 7-5 and a 2-0 hole on Saturday night against UCLA to score eight unanswered to win 8-2 to clinch the series.
On Tuesday, the Bears posted a five-run bottom of the fourth, that was punctuated by a bases-clearing triple by junior centerfielder Aaron Knapp. All five runs came with two outs for the Bears, another trend that is starting to form.
On Saturday, Cal immediately responded with a four-run bottom of the first to turn the 2-0 deficit into a four-run lead. The big blow came from senior left fielder Brenden Farney, who crushed a three-run shot to the opposite field in left to put Cal in front for good.
Cal has four big come-from-behind victories of note thus far, having come back from a 7-0 deficit at Texas with two away in the top of the eighth to complete a historic sweep, a comeback win over then-No. 3 Oregon State last weekend when they trailed 3-0, and responded with a four-run frame in the second, Tuesday's comeback over USF and Saturday's win over UCLA. Cal also responded to a 5-0 deficit at home against Texas Tech to take an 8-5 lead, courtesy of a seven-run fifth, though they eventually fell 11-8.
Change it Up
The California Golden Bears made some changes to their lineup both offensively and defensively prior to their sweep of then-No. 3 Oregon State two weeks ago. The coaching staff moved senior designated hitter Devin Pearson into the leadoff role, and junior centerfielder Aaron Knapp into the two-hole, while switching senior third baseman Mitchell Kranson to the three-spot. Additionally, leading hitter Brett Cumberland was swapped with senior Brenden Farney (a four-five swap), and fellow seniors Brian Celsi and Nick Halamandaris were also swapped (six-seven swap).
Defensively, Halamandaris was moved to first base, where he has excelled since the change, and Farney moved into the vacated left field spot. Farney has also been stellar in left, making several good defensive plays for the Bears.
Halamandaris, Cumberland and Farney have all thrived in the new spots in the order, as they are hitting .478, .455 and .320, respectively during the last seven games with a combined six home runs and 22 RBI.
Farney's Big Day
Senior Brenden Farney had quite the Saturday against UCLA, finishing his day 2-for-3 with two home runs and five RBI to help Cal to a comeback win over the Bruins. Farney crushed a three-run shot in the four-run bottom of the first to put Cal on top, and then hit a two-run homer later in the game in the bottom of the fifth, pulling one out to right.
Knappster
Cal junior centerfielder Aaron Knapp has picked up his offense of late, and is batting .292 (7-for-24) with five RBI and two triples during the current homestand, spanning his last seven ballgames. Kna Knapp now has three triples on the year, which leads the team and ties for fifth in the Pac-12.
Sizzling Siomkin
California's redshirt senior relief pitcher Keaton Siomkin has had an incredible comeback from his 2014 season-ending arm injury, which held him out most of 2015 as well. In his first full season since the injury, Siomkin has established himself as a reliable arm out of the bullpen for Golden Bears' head coach David Esquer.
As a junior in 2014 Siomkin made 10 appearances before injuring his arm. He left with a 1.69 ERA and had nine strikeouts in 16.0 innings of work. Towards the end of 2015 Siomkin made his return to the mound with a couple of spot relief appearance in the final two series of the regular season. He pitched 1.1 innings and gave up four earned runs — all the earned runs came in his second appearance. He didn't pitch in the postseason.
Siomkin, however, has turned a new leaf in 2016. On the season Siomkin has the third lowest ERA on the team out of all Cal pitchers with a minimum of 10 innings of work. After his appearance this past Sunday against UCLA, Siomkin has pitched 14.1 innings and posted a 1.88 ERA. Opposing batters are hitting .204 against him and have struck out 14 times.
Can I Get an E.R.A. on That?
The California pitching staff has been very solid in 2016 under new pitching coach Thomas Eager, having posted a staff ERA of 2.75 in 2016 thus far. That mark is good enough for 17th nationally, and ranks them second in the Pac-12 behind their Tuesday night opponent, Stanford (2.48).
El Gaucho Keeps Hitting
Senior third baseman Mitchell Kranson is batting .351 with four home runs, 10 doubles, 16 RBI and 20 runs scored. He belted his fourth long ball of 2016 in an 8-2 win over UCLA on April 2.
Masterful Mason Keeps Winning
Senior Ryan Mason made a surprise start on Friday night last week in a 9-1 win over UCLA to open the three-game set. Roughly 15 minutes until first pitch, the Cal coaching staff made the decision to scratch projected starter Daulton Jefferies, and opted to go with Mason.
Mason simply went out and dominated. He logged seven innings, scattering six hits and allowing just one run, while striking out seven Bruins to beat UCLA ace Griffin Canning.
The Auburn, California, native improved his career record at Cal to 22-8, moving into sole possession of seventh place on the all-time Cal wins list.
Pitching In
California's pitching has been huge during their current seven-game winning streak. First, in a three game sweep of then-No. 3 Oregon State last weekend.
In game one against the Beavers, junior righty Daulton Jefferies spun a complete game win, striking out four and allowing two runs on just four hits.
The next night, he was backed up by fellow righty, senior Ryan Mason who pitched a complete game, four-hit shutout to help the Bears to a series win; while striking out seven.
Lefty Matt Ladrech then came out of the bullpen in the final game of the series trailing 2-0 with the bases loaded and one out in the frame. He responded by throwing 7.2 innings of no-hit ball in relief, helping the Bears to the sweep over the Beavers, their first since the 2010 season.
The back-to-back complete games marked the first time that has happened since Jefferies and Mason did so last season in May of 2015 at Campbell, though Jefferies CG, the first of his career, was in an 8.0 inning performance, in which the Bears lost.
Cal then did similar things to the visiting Bruins. Mason (4-1) logged seven strong innings on Friday night to shut down the UCLA bats in a 9-1 win, striking out seven.
Sophomore righty Jeff Bain (3-1) then tossed 6.1 innings on Saturday, allowing just two runs on eight hits to pick up the series-clinching win, 8-2.
Ladrech then followed suit with another excellent performance on Sunday afternoon to help the Bears sweep the Bruins. He threw 6.2 innings, allowing only one run on nine scattered hits and punching out a pair.
Sweeps Week(s)
The California Golden Bears finished off a sweep of the UCLA Bruins this past weekend, outscoring the visitors from Southern California 22-6 in the process. It marked the first sweep of UCLA since the Bears did so in 2002. This also marked the fourth sweep of the year for the Bears, who completed a three-game sweep of Purdue in late Feb., a four-game sweep of Texas at the start of the month in Austin, something that have never been done before in 78 previous tries, and a three-game sweep of then-No. 3 Oregon State in late March.
Tenerowicz Getting It Done
California junior second baseman has been much improved at the plate thus far in 2016; entering Tuesday night's game against Stanford with a .267 batting average, a home run and a career-high 10 RBI. Tenerowicz drove in his ninth and 10th runs of the season this past Friday (4/1) in the first game of a three game sweep over UCLA in Berkeley. Tenerowicz's previous career-high in RBI was when he drove in eight runs during the 2015 season.
#EMARTIME
Sophomore right-handed closer Erik Martinez has been a man on a mission out of the California bullpen in 2016. He is 1-0 with a 1.84 ERA and has seven saves in as many tries, which is the second most in the Pac-12. He is now just three behind the single-season saves record at Cal (Jesse Ingram in 2004 and Trevor Hildenberger in 2014).
Double Trouble
The Bears are currently third in the Pac-12 in doubles with 50, just two behind conference-leader Arizona State. Each of the Bears in the starting lineup has at least three to his name this season, and senior third baseman Mitchell Kranson is leading the way with 10, which ranks him fourth in the Pac-12. Fellow senior, first baseman Nick Halamandaris, is fifth in the conference with nine.
Twin-Killings
Following California's sweep over UCLA, the Golden Bears have turned 28 double plays this year. They are averaging 1.17 double plays turned per game, which ranks sixth in the country and is tops in the Pac-12. The Bears are on track to turn 62 by the season's end. Last season Cal finished the year with 65 double plays turned, which was good enough for the third most in the nation. Notre Dame had the most double plays turned last year with 75.
Locking It Down
The Bears are an impressive 17-0 in 2016 when leading after seven innings of play. That is largely in part to the success of the back end of the Cal bullpen, comprised primarily of redshirt senior Keaton Siomkin (0-0, 1.88 ERA) and sophomore closer Erik Martinez, who has seven saves (1-0, 1.84 ERA).
Everyone's Doing It
Cal has had a very balanced offensive attack this season; as every spot in the lineup is doing their part in the RBI category. Seven Bears have double-digit RBI totals thus far (Brett Cumberland -26, Brenden Farney -20, Nick Halamandaris -17, Mitchell Kranson -16, Preston Grand Pre -11, Aaron Knapp -10 and Robbie Tenerowicz -10), but others have contributed as well. Every starting position player has a minimum of nine RBI on the season, and several individuals have come through in important spots to help the ballclub this season.
Finding a Way
California designated hitter Devin Pearson has successfully reached base in 23 of the 24 Golden Bears' games this year. The senior is hitting .276 so far this season with an on-base percentage of .411 — the second highest on-base percentage for Bears who have played in over half the team's games.
Helping Pearson reach this streak is his average of 1.00 hits per game. Furthermore, he has been hit by eight pitches this year, which is third most in the Pac-12.
#Dingers
California led the Pac-12 in long balls in 2015 with a whopping 45 and they are on a similar path thus far in 2016, having hit 21 in their last 21 games. Cal sophomore catcher Brett Cumberland has paced the Bears with 10 homers on the season. Six other Bears have homered in 2016, as Mitchell “El Gaucho” Kranson has four, senior Brenden Farney has three, while senior Devin Pearson, junior Robbie Tenerowicz, senior Brian Celsi and sophomore Denis Karas have all gone yard once.
Punch Out
The Bears currently have 173 strikeouts as a staff in 2016. Starter Daulton Jefferies (47) has been leading the way through his six appearances, but sophomore reliever Erik Martinez has been electric out of the bullpen with 19 in just 14.2 innings of work, which is a rate of 11.66 strikeouts per nine innings. Sophomore Jeff Bain, senior Keaton Siomkin and freshman Joey Matulovich have also used the punchout as a weapon of choice, retiring 16, 14 and 13 opponents each, respectively via the strikeout. Following senior starter Ryan Mason's seven-strikeout performance on Friday night in a 9-1 win over UCLA, he now has 33 on the campaign.
(Re-) Transitioning to Third
Senior Mitchell “El Gaucho” Kranson has been a utility man for the Golden Bears over the past four years. As younger Bears establish themselves at positions Kranson has been familiarizing himself once again with the hot corner. Kranson grew up playing third base and was recruited to play the position. In 2012, Perfect Game ranked the then high school senior as the No. 6 California third base recruit.
First Inning Success
The Golden Bears are off to a great start in 2016, and much of that can be attributed to the first inning success of the Bears. Cal has outscored opponents 26-14 in first innings this year.
Cal is now 11-3 in games where they score first.
They Do it Early, They Do it Late
California has made a habit of scoring early runs to get out in front, but they also have been very successful offensively late in ballgames in 2016. In the eighth inning or later, Cal has outscored its opponents 24-11, including an 12-6 margin in the eighth inning and a 9-4 advantage in ninth innings.
Under the Lights
The California Golden Bears have been excellent in night games in 2016, posting a record of 12-2 so far.
Home Cooking
As the Stanford Cardinal comes to town for a Tuesday night non-conference battle, they are entering a place where teams have found it difficult to win this year. Cal is 12-2 thus far at Evans Diamond in 2016, having won seven consecutive home games and eight out of its last nine.
Welcome Back Farney
Redshirt senior Brenden Farney returns to the Golden Bears after missing all of 2015. Farney led the Bears in hitting in 2014, his junior season, batting .286 with three home runs, five doubles and 20 RBI. He hit his first career home run at USC on March 18, and followed that up with a two-home run game on April 2 in a win over UCLA.
Esquer Among Nation's Best
Esquer, 50, is in his 17th season with a career record of 486-423-2 (.533). In 2011 he led the Bears to the program's first appearance at the College World Series since 1992, and was named the National Coach of the Year.
Three Bears On Opening Day Rosters
Proving that a top academic institution can also produce top professional athletes, the Cal baseball program showcases three former standouts – Mark Canha (Oakland Athletics), Tyson Ross (San Diego Padres) and Marcus Semien (Oakland Athletics) – who are on the opening day rosters for the 2016 Major League Baseball season.
Highlighting the list is Ross, the Padres opening day starter, who is a former MLB All-Star in 2014. Semien and Canha provide some local flavor, while playing for another Golden Bear, Bob Melvin, the manager of the Oakland Athletics, who was a member of Cal's 1980 College World Series team that placed third in the country.
Log On
Fans are encouraged to follow along with Baseball on social media throughout the season. Get live updates during games on Twitter @Cal_Baseball, or look for updates and photos on Facebook at Facebook.com/CalBaseball and @CalBaseball on Instagram. Fans can also log on to CalBears.com for full game recaps and the latest news.
