LONG BEACH, Calif. – Three California pitchers held Long Beach State to just five hits but the Bears could not muster any offensive momentum in a 4-0 loss on Saturday afternoon at Blair Field.
 
The Bears tallied three hits, all of which were infield singles as they dropped to 0-2. Long Beach State (2-0) clinched the season-opening series behind a strong effort on the mound from Alfred Ruiz, who struck out 10 Bears over seven innings.
 
Cal starting pitcher Grant Holman scattered three runs (two earned) and four hits over six frames and was relieved by Jack Wolger and Carson Olson, who tossed one inning apiece. Holman was effective through the first five innings, only allowing one run on a RBI groundout in the bottom of the third.
 
Trouble struck for Holman in the home half of the sixth when Calvin Estrada led off with a double and scored two at bats later on a RBI single from Aidan Malm. A passed ball and throwing error by Cole Elvis – one of three errors committed by the Bears – later in the inning allowed Malm to scored, unearned. The Dirtbags added an insurance run in the seventh off of Wolger.
 
Cal's three hits came from Connor Mack, Holman and Max Flower. The Bears left four runners on base in total.
 
PITCHERS OF RECORD
Win: Alfredo Ruiz (1-0)
Loss: Grant Holman (0-1)
 
NOTABLES

• Holman's six innings pitched tied a career-high.
• Nathan Martorella, Friday's designated hitter, made his first start in the field (first base) on Saturday.
• Brandon McIlwain made a web-gem catch in deep center field, tracking down a fly ball by Tyler Porter at the warning track in the bottom of the fourth.
• After playing a four-hour, 45-minute marathon on Opening Day, Cal and Long Beach State's game on Saturday lasted just over two hours (2:13).

UP NEXT
The Bears will look to avoid the sweep against Long Beach State on Sunday. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. (PT) at Blair Field. Follow the game via Beach Vision and/or StatBroadcast.
 
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