The California Golden Bears wrapped up a huge double-header sweep Sunday evening, taking down the second-seeded Baylor Bears with an 8-0 victory. Cal's victory creates a winner-take-all elimination game Monday afternoon at 4:00pm pacific at Reckling Park in Houston. The winner advances to the super regional round of the 2011 NCAA baseball tournament, while the loser heads home for the summer.
The two Bears squads threw up goose eggs for 5 1/2 innings as neither team could gain an edge. Cal finally broke through in the sixth inning as right fielder Chad Bunting hit a solo home run to give Cal a 1-0 lead. Kyle Porter and the Cal bullpen did an excellent job holding onto the lead as they gave up four hits and two walks but no runs.
Cal completely broke this one open in the eighth inning as they exploded for seven runs. After Chadd Krist and Marcus Semien reached base, Devon Rodriguez singled home Krist. Two batters later, Bunting hit a three run bomb and the rout was on. The Bears added three more runs on a single and a double to take complete control.
Cal and Baylor will square off at 4:00pm pacific and the game can be heard on KALX 90.7 FM. The winner will advance to the super regionals for a best of three series with the winner of Dallas Baptist and Oral Roberts.