BERKELEY – A four-run sixth inning, capped by a two-run single from Quentin Selma, was not enough to overcome an early deficit as California dropped its home opener, 10-6, to St. John's on Friday at Evans Diamond.
 
The Bears (1-4) found themselves in a quick hole with a 2-0 deficit in the first and trailed by as many as five runs through five and a half innings played on Friday night. After Cal scored twice in the sixth on a hit-by-pitch and a walk in consecutive at bats with the bases loaded, Selma plated two more with a single to the right-field gap and brought Cal within one run of the Red Storm, 7-6. St. John's (2-2) quickly quelled the rally, however, with an RBI double the following inning and a two-run home run in the ninth.
 
Sam Stoutenborough took his first loss of the season, allowing four runs on five hits over three innings of work. He left the contest with Cal trailing 4-2 and turned it over to the bullpen. Jack Wolger, Carson Olson, Nick Proctor and Lucas Gather saw action in relief of Stoutenborough.
 
Cal strung together seven hits throughout the night, including a pair from both Selma and Darren Baker. In his first collegiate start at shortstop, Keshawn Ogans proved his worth with a bunt single, one run scored and a game-high three walks drawn out of the nine-hole.
 
PITCHERS OF RECORD
Win: Brandon Backman (1-0)
Loss: Sam Stoutenborough (0-1)
 
NOTABLES

• Cal showed patience at the plate Friday, drawing nine walks. The Bears had drawn just nine walks all season heading into Friday's contest.
• Grant Holman notched his first RBIs of the season with a two-run double in the third inning.
• Darren Baker has three consecutive two-hit performances.
• Quentin Selma has batted in at least two runs in each of the last three games. He leads Cal with nine RBI. 

UP NEXT
The weekend series between Cal and St. John's resumes at 3 p.m. (PT) on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Evans Diamond.
 
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