Cal to face UIC, Sacramento in first weekend at home
The clink of the bat. The umpire yelling “strike.” Fans cheering endlessly. Everything that has been missing from Evans Diamond is coming back. Nine months after finishing a disappointing season, the blue and gold finally return home. After a strong first weekend of competition, the Bears will look to continue their momentum as they face UIC and Sacramento State in the coming days. Though there’s nothing like home turf, the Bears are in for some mixed competition.
In its three game series versus UIC, including a doubleheader on Saturday, Cal has a great opportunity to continue its success. Despite having a successful season last year, the Flames come to Berkeley after a rough opening series in which they went 1-2 against New Mexico State. On paper, Cal is set to make some noise in its first matchup against UIC.
Tuesday’s match against Sacramento State will be a different story. Based on history, it is anyone’s game. The last time these two faced off was three years ago in two separate matches where each side picked up one win. Presently, the Hornets are a dominant force that is sure to give the Bears a run for their money. Sacramento State is coming to Berkeley after sweeping Northern Illinois in a four-game series in which it scored 31 runs and only allowed 16.
If the blue and gold learned anything from last weekend’s dramatics, it is that they must put themselves in a winning position from the get-go. This will be especially important against a Sacramento state squad that regularly goes up early.
“We’re looking to get ahead early, let our pitching staff do its thing and compete game to game,” said senior catcher Cole Elvis.
All eyes will be on star pitcher Josh White to see if he can repeat last weekend’s stellar performance and help the Bears add another win to their record. To survive these next few games, particularly the doubleheader, the Bears will need to dig deep and the bullpen will need to continue performing.
After four games full of freshmen dominance, fans can’t help but to wonder if they’re going to show up again this weekend. Particularly, fans should look out for Caleb Lomavita, Rodney Green Jr. and Carson Crawford.
Lomavita stepped up big last weekend, scoring six of the Bears’ total 25 runs — the same amount as star junior Dylan Beavers. Although he’s batting a .294 average, Lomavita has a bright future in the program.
Fans will remember Green Jr. for notching the winning run against No. 17 TCU. Though he didn’t run up the score in the opening weekend, he did manage to secure four putouts in the narrow loss to Gonzaga. The Bay Area local has showed he is capable of holding his own in the collegiate game and can potentially do well this season.
Similarly to Lomavita, Crawford was a big player in the Bears’ 3-1 opening weekend. He racked up five runs and maintained a batting average of .429.
Though the blue and gold have reason to be excited at their winning record thus far, they must not let that get to their heads.
“A big thing last year was we took our foot off the gas pedal from time to time, “ Elvis said. “So this year, it’s just intensity and focus with every single game and leaving it all out on the field.”
Despite another jam-packed weekend, the Bears are taking it one game at a time in their larger pursuit of postseason competition. Consistency is key for Cal to achieve its larger goals, and this weekend, its resolve will be tested. And, if the Bears have any luck, Evans Diamond will see a return to some winning ways.
Amber Soto covers baseball. Contact her at asoto@dailycal.org.