BERKELEY – California left nine runners on base and could not put together enough offensive firepower in a 3-1 loss to St. John's on Saturday afternoon at Evans Diamond.
 
The Bears (1-5) tallied four total hits and managed just one over the first six innings, spoiling a strong effort from starting pitcher Grant Holman, who took the loss. Holman (0-2) worked 5.2 innings on the mound and retired 12 straight batters at one point while striking out six. He allowed three runs on four hits.
 
St. John's (3-2) broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth when Mitchell Henshaw's RBI double got past a fully-extended Steven Zobac in left field, allowing Justin Folz to score from second base. Folz reached base with a single in the prior at bat and advanced into scoring position on a passed ball. Holman forced a fly out to center field for the second out of the frame before he was relieved by Vaughn Mauterer, who surrendered another RBI double to make it a 3-1 game. Mauterer was strong the rest of the way as he and Ian Villers held the Red Storm scoreless over the final three frames.
 
Cal took the first lead of the game in the bottom of the first when Darren Baker scored on an RBI groundout by Holman. Baker led off the inning with a walk and promptly swiped two bases to reach third base before scoring on Holman's chopper.
 
The Bears had two quality offensive chances in the seventh and ninth innings, but could not capitalize. Brandon McIlwain walked, Zobac singled and Dylan Beavers walked to load the bases with one out in the seventh before an infield fly and groundout quelled the rally opportunity. Pinch runner Nathan Manning and Beavers reached second and third base with two outs in the bottom of the ninth as well, but a sharp lineout to third base by Baker ended the contest.
 
PITCHERS OF RECORD
Win: Joe Joe Rodriguez (1-1)
Save: Ethan Routzahn (1)
Loss: Grant Holman (0-2)
 
NOTABLES

• Steven Zobac and Dylan Beavers earned their first career starts in left field and right field, respectively.
• Cal went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

UP NEXT
The weekend series between Cal and St. John's concludes at 1 p.m. (PT) on Sunday, Feb. 23 at Evans Diamond.
 
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