TUCSON, Ariz. -- California's pitching staff tossed a combined shutout and Devin Pearson's two-run double in the fourth inning propelled the visiting Golden Bears to a 4-0 victory over host Arizona before a crowd of 4,037 on Saturday evening at Hi Corbett Field.
Ryan Mason (W, 5-2) scattered eight hits and a walk over eight complete innings. Reliever Alex Schick polished off the shut out with a scoreless ninth inning, blanking the Wildcats for the first time this season.
California (25-14, 12-8 Pac-12) seized control with a two-run fourth inning and added a pair of runs in the fifth inning to all but lock up the series-clinching win.
Arizona starter Nathan Bannister (L, 6-2) had retired seven in a row before Chris Paul opened the fourth with a single. Mitchell Kranson followed with a hit-and-run double down the left field line that left two in scoring position for Pearson, who pulled a double inside the third base line to plate both runners.
An inning later, Paul turned in a run-scoring single and Brett Cumberland drove in another run with a sacrifice fly to put the visitors in front by four runs.
Mason was dominant much of the evening. He limited the Wildcats to a 1-for-12 clip with runners on base, and gave the home club only five at-bats with runners in scoring position.
The one scoring threat for Arizona was thwarted with an excellent defensive play to end the fourth. After JJ Matijevic hit a two-out double, Jared Oliva single to left field, where Pearson fielded and threw a strike to cut down Matijevic trying to score.
The lackluster offensive performance spoiled a gritty outing for Bannister, who nearly went the distance. The righty allowed only the four runs in 8.2 innings, with five strike outs.
Arizona (24-16, 9-11) will try to snap a three-game losing streak in the series finale set for Sunday at noon.
