Jones Finishes Season Strong, But Cal Beats UW, 4-3

Friday, May 24

Seattle, WA

6:00 PM

University of Washington

28-24, 0

California

32-18, 0

California

Washington

Jordan Jones struck out 8 on Friday night.

May 24, 2019 | Baseball

Box Score

By: Brian Tom

SEATTLE -- Junior pitcher Jordan Jones continued his late-season surge on the mound and sophomore outfielder Braiden Ward sustained his season-long hitting prowess for Washington, but the Huskies ended up on the short-end of a 4-3 game Friday night at Husky Ballpark against Cal.

Jones struck out eight and Ward was 3-for-4 with a triple and stolen base as Washington (28-24, 12-17 Pac-12) took the lead at three different points during the game, but Cal (32-18, 17-11) struck for two runs in the sixth to take their first lead and shut out the Huskies the rest of the way to clinch the season series.

Jones, who was coming off a complete game, 10-strikeout performance against No. 1 ranked UCLA, was excellent once again on the hill. He got off to a rough start, allowing a lead-off triple in the first inning to Cameron Eden, but turned the tables and struck out the side to keep the game scoreless and set the tone.

The Huskies struck first with an unearned run in the second, but Cal answered with a run of their own in the top of the third on a solo home run by Hance Smith.

UW responded in the bottom of the third to re-take the lead when Nick Kahle drove in his team-leading 50^th RBI with a third-inning single that scored Ward, who reached on a triple.

Cal would tie things back up in the fourth when shortstop Sam Wezniak sent a double into the right-center gap that scored Korey Lee from first base before Washington answered again in the fifth. Ramon Bramasco walked with the bases loaded to force in a run and give the Huskies a 3-2 advantage. It would be the last time the Huskies would lead.

The Bears took the lead for good in the sixth when John Latattuta found the gap in right-center field with runners on first and second. Lee scored easily on the play and Wezniak followed suit when the ball was fumbled around in right field.

The play ended the night for Jones as he had reached the 105-pitch mark after 5 2/3 innings. He allowed four hits and four walks to go along with his eight strikeouts. Jones finished his year with 18 strikeouts over his final two games and moved past former teammate Noah Bremer into sixth all-time in UW history with 209 career strikeouts.

The Huskies would get 3 1/3 innings of hitless and scoreless relief from Jack Enger, Chris Micheles and Stevie Emanuels, but Cal would counter with equally strong relief from their bullpen.

Rogelio Reyes pitched the final 2 2/3 innings and did not allow a hit while striking out four to pick up his first save. The only base runner he allowed was a two-out walk in the eighth to David Rhodes.

The two teams wrap up the series on Saturday with first pitch scheduled for noon. The Huskies will honor four senior players -- Blake Burton, Mason Cerrillo, Adam Davenport and Joe Wainhouse -- and one student manager, Jacob Hatloe, prior to the game at 11:40 a.m.