FORT WORTH, Texas – California squandered a four-run advantage and fell to No. 21 TCU, 5-4, in a nonconference series opener at Lupton Stadium on Friday night.
 
The Bears (3-6) raced out to an early lead with all four of their runs coming in the second inning, only to see TCU (8-1) chip away with a rally over the second half of the contest. With the game tied, 4-4, in the bottom of the eighth, TCU took its only lead on a solo home run by Conner Shepherd. Steven Zobac (1-1) took the loss.
 
Three of Cal's six hits came in the four-run second inning, including a two-run single by Darren Baker. The offensive outburst was jumpstarted by Brandon McIlwain, who doubled to deep center field and scored the first run of the game on a groundout by Dylan Beavers. Zobac and Cole Elvis drew consecutive two-out walks later in the frame and scored on RBI singles by Keshawn Ogans and Baker.
 
The four runs came against TCU ace Johnny Ray, who had allowed just one run in 13.2 innings pitched heading into Friday.
 
Cal starter Sam Stoutenborough had some of his best stuff early on with four shutout frames, but got into trouble during an eventful fifth. From the end of the second inning through the fourth, Stoutenborough retired seven straight batters. In the fifth, however, four consecutive Horned Frogs reached base to open the inning, the fourth of which was hit by a pitch to bring home TCU's first run.
 
A pitching change was made following the HBP, bringing Nick Proctor out of the bullpen. Proctor's appearance started with a 14-pitch at bat against TCU leadoff hitter Porter Brown, resulting in a bases-loaded walk. TCU was able to get a third run across on a groundout before the inning came to a close. Joseph King, Cal's third pitcher of the inning, ended the inning with a looking strikeout.
 
As Cal's bats tried to find their momentum again in the later innings, TCU knotted the game at 4-4 in the seventh when Tommy Sacco scored on a sacrifice fly after advancing to third base on a passed ball and wild pitch. The Bears had one hit in each of the final three innings but could not put anything across.
 
PITCHERS OF RECORD
Win: Marcelo Perez (1-0)
Loss: Steven Zobac (1-1)
 
NOTABLES

• Keshawn Ogans (2-for-3) had the first multi-hit performance of his career.
• Darren Baker and Brandon McIlwain extended their reached base streaks to seven consecutive games.

UP NEXT
Game two of Cal's series at TCU is slated for 1 p.m. (PT) on Saturday, Feb. 29. The game will be streamed on TCU's HFTV.
 
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