LONG BEACH, Calif. – California erased a late deficit with a three-run eighth inning and defeated Long Beach State, 7-5, for its first win of the season on Sunday afternoon at Blair Field.
 
Trailing 5-4 in the top of the eighth, Cal (1-2) plated three runs on three consecutive hits, including a game-tying double by freshman Nathan Martorella. Hance Smith scored from second base on Martorella's double and a throwing error on the same play allowed Darren Baker to cross the plate with the eventual game-winning run. Quentin Selma drove in Martorella in the following at bat for an insurance run.
 
The Bears staved off two late threats from the Dirtbags (2-1) in the eighth and ninth with a web gem in right field and gritty pitching. A full-extension diving catch in right-field foul territory by Max Flower stranded two Dirtbag runners in the eighth and Mitchell Scott slammed the door shut in the ninth for his first career save after entering the game with the tying run on first base and no outs.
 
Cal led twice earlier in the contest, scoring two runs in both the first and third innings. The two-spot in the first frame was keyed by Selma, who doubled home Martorella and later scored on a single by John Lagattuta. After Long Beach State tied it in the second, Lagattuta delivered again in the following inning with a two-out, two-run single up the middle.
 
Eight Bears saw action on the mound as Cal opted for a designated staff day. Nick Proctor and Steven Zobac threw two scoreless innings apiece while Zobac earned the win in his first collegiate pitching appearance.
 
Cal strung together 14 hits on the afternoon, two more it had in games one and two of the series combined. Five Bears had multi-hit efforts, including Martorella (3-for-4) and Selma (3-for-4). Lagattuta added three RBI.
 
QUOTABLES
Cal Head Coach Mike Neu:
"I thought everyone picked each other up throughout a game that we really needed to win today. Nathan Martorella stepped up big with the game-winning hit in the eighth and for Mitchell Scott to come in and get those outs in the ninth, that's not easy to do on the road.
 
"Our effort level was great all weekend, despite Friday and Saturday not going our way. The effort was good and there were a lot of young guys who had the chance to play and show what they're about."
 
PITCHERS OF RECORD
Win: Steven Zobac (1-0)
Save: Mitchell Scott (1)
Loss: Ethan Clough (0-1)
 
NOTABLES

• Nathan Martorella's three hits included two doubles and three runs scored.
• Ian Villers made his first collegiate start on the mound as a designated "opener". He tossed one scoreless inning.
• Cal's No. 2 through No. 5 batters were a combined 12-for-21 (.571) at the plate.

UP NEXT
Cal concludes its four-game road swing through SoCal with a Monday night clash at UC Santa Barbara. First pitch is slated for 5:30 p.m. (PT) at the Gauchos' Caesar Uyesaka Stadium in Santa Barbara.
 
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