PULLMAN, Wash. – Through the first six innings neither side accomplished much offensively. That changed in a dramatic way late in the contest, as the California baseball team scored 13 runs from the seventh inning on – 10 in the ninth, to defeat host Washington State 13-5 on Saturday afternoon at Bailey-Brayton Field.
 
The Golden Bears (19-14, 7-10 Pac-12) pull even with Washington State (17-16, 7-10) in the Pac-12 standings thanks to the explosive ninth inning. It is the first time Cal has scored 10 or more runs in an inning since they scored 11 against San Francisco on April 18, 2023. Ryan Tayman had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two driven in. His home run in the top of the eighth tied the game 2-2, one inning later his RBI double gave the Bears a 4-2 cushion and started the scoring outburst. Logan Piper (2-0) and the Bears' bullpen was sensational, holding the Cougars to one hit in nine at bats with two outs and 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
 
Washington State starter Connor Wilford (3-4) took the tough luck loss. Wilford was a bully on the mound, holding the Bears to one run and three hits through seven innings. He finished the day going 7.1, scattering six hits, three runs, three earned with a walk and seven strikeouts.
 
Ian May got the start for the Bears and went a season-high 3.0 complete. He allowed three hits, a run and struck out three. Oliver Boone was stellar out of the bullpen tossing three solid innings, he allowed two hits and a run with three strikeouts.
 
The Cougars led 1-0 after an RBI double from Max Hartman in the bottom of the third. The score remained 1-0 until the top of the seventh when Wilford finally showed signs of fatigue. Caleb Lomavita walked with one out and advanced to third on the double down the right field line by Rodney Green Jr. Peyton Schulze had a productive out, hitting a ground ball deep enough at third to allow Lomavita to score on the play.
 
With the game tied 1-1, Washington State retook the lead in the home half. Boone opened the inning hitting Nick Swarts to put the leadoff runner aboard. That ended Boone's afternoon. Tyler Stasiowski came into the game for the Bears and surrendered a double down the left field line to Cole Cramer that allowed Swarts to score from first. Stasiowski struggled with his command, walking Jack Weise on four pitches to put two Cougars aboard. A sacrifice bunt by Washington State had runners at second and third with one out, ending the day for Stasiowski.
 
Piper came into the game and had his best outing. In a strikeout situation with two aboard and one out he got Hartman to strikeout swinging. He then got Shibley to fly out to left field and keep the deficit to a run.
 
The eighth inning is where all the drama unfolded. Tayman led off the inning with a solo home run to right center, it was his second home run of the series and sixth of the season. He finished the afternoon a triple shy of the cycle.
 
With one out, Jag Burden singled through the right side and advanced to third on a single from PJ Moutzouridis. Jarren Advincula hit a ball to the third baseman, Burden, running on contact was initially called out at home on the fielder's choice. After an official review, Burden was deemed safe as the pitcher obstructed home plate, giving the Bears a 3-2 lead.
 
Christian Becerra took the ball for the Bears in the eight and retired the Cougars in order. In the top of the ninth Cal busted it open, scoring 10 runs on six hits. Tayman started the rally with an RBI double. Moutzouridis, Advincula, Peyton Schulze, and Max Handron all had RBI base hits.
 
With a 13-2 lead, Becerra closed it out for his first save of the year but not before allowing three runs to score – two on a tripe from Shibley to make it 13-5.
 
Moutzouridis, Green Jr., and Tayman all collected multiple hits. Moutzouridis went 2-for-6 with a run scored and two driven in. Green Jr. went 2-for-3 with a walk. Advincula went 1-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI, he also reached on the fielder's choice in the eighth – in doing so he extended his reached base safely streak to 24 games.
 
Cal goes for the series sweep tomorrow afternoon. The game will be televised on Pac-12 Washington and is scheduled for a noon PT start time.
 
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