STANFORD, Calif. – A three-run seventh inning and another run in the eighth gave the Cal baseball team late life but host Stanford closed the door in the ninth as a late rally wasn't enough and the Bears fell 6-4 to the Cardinal in a non-conference contest at Sunken Diamond.
 
As has been the case at various points throughout the season for a young squad, Cal (16-18) fell victim to a big inning that put the Bears in an early hole. On this occasion, it was a five-run third inning that staked Stanford to a lead as the Cardinal sent eight men to the plate and collected five hits along with one Cal error.
 
The Bears got their bats going in the seventh, scoring three runs on just three hits. A bases-loaded walk by Jeffrey Mitchell, Jr. brought the first run of the game home and freshman Andrew Vaughn followed with Cal's most clutch at-bat of the evening, driving a single into shallow left field to score Anthony Walters and Preston Grand Pre.
 
Stanford countered with an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh to take some momentum back but Cal got the boost it needed in the eighth when Denis Karas launched a 2-2 pitch into the trees past the left field fence. That was as close as the Bears would get though as Stanford closer Colton Hock came in for the ninth and struck out the side to earn his eighth save.
 
The Bears relied on pitching by committee on Tuesday and that produced a handful of quality performances. Starter Joey Matulovich worked a perfect inning to get his mid-week work in, needing only nine pitches – all of which were strikes – to get through the first. Andrew Buckley worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings, Zayne Patino struck out five and allowed just one run over 2 1/3 and both Rogelio Reyes and Vaughn worked a scoreless frame. Six different Bears collected a hit apiece to lead the offense.
 
Cal returns to the friendly confines of Evans Diamond on Friday night for the first game of a three-game series against USC. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05. Saturday's contest is set for a 6:05 p.m. first pitch and Sunday's series finale will begin at 1:05 p.m. Live updates throughout the weekend will be available by following Cal Baseball on Twitter (@Cal_Baseball).