BERKELEY, Calif. – An early chance to do serious damage went by the wayside for the Cal baseball team and host San Francisco capitalized on its own chances, scoring multiple runs in three innings as the Bears dropped a 7-2 decision at Benedetti Diamond.
 
Cal (19-19) had its opportunity to take command right away Tuesday. An RBI single by freshman Andrew Vaughn got the Bears started in the top of the first and, after a single by Denis Karas and Tanner Dodson getting hit by a pitch, Cal had the bases loaded with just one out. USF starter Sam Granoff escaped further damage though with a grounder back to the mound and a fielder's choice, holding the Bears to just one run.
 
San Francisco (22-20) capitalized when given the opportunity. A two-run home run by Brady Bate put the Dons ahead 2-1 in the second and a three-run shot by Ross Puskarich one inning later made it 5-1. USF scored two more in the sixth to widen the gap and that was all the cushion the Dons needed to earn a home victory.
 
The Bears created their best chance to cut into the deficit in the top of the eighth inning, again loading the bases. A walk by Conner Bock brought in a run but Brendan Jenkins needed just one pitch to get out of the jam, getting a fly out to leave the bases full of Bears with Cal down by five.
 
Greene led the charge offensively with a 4 for 5 day and two doubles as the Bears collected nine hits as a team. Karas also had a multi-hit game with two hits that included a double.
 
Cal returns to Pac-12 play this weekend when the Bears travel to the Pacific Northwest for three games against Washington. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 6 p.m. from Husky Ballpark. The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. and concludes Sunday with a 1:05 p.m. first pitch. All three games will be streamed live through the Washington website and Pac-12.com.