Bears bow out from College World Series after 8-1 defeat

First of all, I’d like to express thanks to everyone involved with the Cal baseball program. I’d like to thank all the people who contributed to Save Cal Baseball, all the players who’ve stuck with the program, and all the coaches who kept this team together. It was an absolutely terrific year, and there’s no shame in losing to Virginia. This team gave me a great season to write about, and they helped unite a previously dormant fanbase. They gave Golden Bears from coast to coast and beyond something to be proud of, and for that we all owe them our thanks.

In all honesty, I don’t want to get into the game all that much. The team had some chances to grab an early run, especially when Austin Booker was thrown out at second and then Chadd Krist proceeded to double. Our offense gave it their best, and that’s all we can ask from. Tyler Wilson was very good, but he wasn’t perfect. Dixon Anderson had just a few mistakes; a wild pitch, an error on a bunt and a couple of balls that found holes. When you’re playing the #1 team in the country, you can’t make those kind of mistakes. Our relievers, especially Kevin Miller, had problems, and that just made this all the worst.

If you’re going to win the College World Series, you need breaks to go your way. They didn’t for the Bears. Before the Bears had even made it to Omaha, they caught a bad break when Justin Jones hurt his bicep. Cal needed him in the worst way, especially against the lefty-dominated Virginia line-up, and they didn’t get him. Tony Renda was also injured, pressing a freshman (who did play very well) into action. Second of all, they ran into a better Virginia team twice. It’s tough drawing the #1 team in the country, and it would have been tough for a full-strength Bear team to win either game. Playing without your #2 starter and with the second basemen hobbling, it’s nearly impossible. Things just didn’t go the Bears way this time.

I can’t express in words how much I enjoyed writing about this team this year. Despite all their setbacks, they never gave up and kept fighting. 99% of teams would never have dreamed of Omaha, let alone gotten there, with what this team was presented with. They’ve made us all very proud. Thanks guys.

In the end, the Bears just didn’t have enough to win a national championship. There’s no shame in that; only 1 team is crowned in the end. The fact they didn’t win it all doesn’t diminsh any of there accomplishments, and it sure doesn’t make this run any less memorable. For the last time this athletic year: Go Bears!