PULLMAN, Wash. – California's bats were kept in check in a 4-1 series-opening loss to Washington State on Friday afternoon at Bailey-Brayton Field. The Golden Bears (16-17, 7-9 Pac-12) entered the front end of Friday's doubleheader averaging 8.8 runs in their previous eight games, but managed just three singles and struck out 11 times against the Cougars.
 
After Cal starter Ian May dodged trouble his first time through the Cougars' lineup, WSU (13-19, 5-11) was able to tag him a pair of runs in both the third and fourth innings. A two-run triple by Jacob McKeon got WSU on the board in the third before Nate Swarts doubled the lead with a two-run home run in the following frame.
 
May (1-1) tallied two strikeouts but allowed the four runs on 10 hits, eight of which came with two outs.
 
Cal got one run back in the sixth when Nathan Martorella scored on a two-out single by Caleb Lomavita after leading off the inning with a walk. The Bears loaded the bases and brought the go-ahead run to the plate in the same frame, but a groundout to shortstop ended their best threat of the game.
 
Steven Zobac was superb in relief of May, striking out six Cougars while allowing one hit in four innings.
 
The series opener was originally scheduled for Thursday, but was postponed to Friday due to inclement weather in the Palouse.
 
UP NEXT
The back end of Friday's doubleheader between Cal and Washington State will start at 2:50 p.m. PDT.
 
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