BERKELEY, Calif. -- No. 10 Cal connected for three home runs while its ace pitcher limited Purdue baseball to just three hits over six innings, defeating the Boilermakers 10-0 in the series opener Friday night.
The Golden Bears (3-2) took control of the game with a two-out, two-run rally in the second inning coupled with a two-run homer from Devin Pearson the following frame. Brett Cumberland later connected for a three-run blast in the fifth inning.
Kyle Johnson had two hits and also drew a walk to go along with an impressive diving catch in deep right center to end the bottom of the sixth inning. Nick Dalesandro also had a pair of hits. But Cal's Daulton Jefferies (2-0) worked three 1-2-3 frames while striking out eight over six scoreless innings. Freshman Duncan McKinnon, who started at third base, drew a walk in his first collegiate at-bat. It was the only free pass Jeffries allowed.
Purdue starter Tanner Andrews (0-1) retired five of the first six batters he faced, but then six of the next seven Cal hitters reached base safely against him. Nine-hole hitter Preston Grand Pre's two-run single in the second inning opened the scoring after a two-out walk and a double extended the frame.
Alec Olund threw a runner out at the plate from right field to end the third inning. Northern California natives Robb Woodcock and Justin Gubser both had positive moments in Friday's game. Woodcock retired three of the four batters he faced in a scoreless inning of relief. Gubser singled in the ninth inning.
Game two of the series is set for Saturday at 9 p.m. ET.