BERKELEY -- With the 2012 college baseball opener coming up ever so quickly for California, it appears as though the Bears will be hitting the diamond against Pacific on Friday without junior first baseman Devon Rodriguez.

'The Big Cat,' as he's affectionately called by his teammates, did not practice on Tuesday, standing on the side with his knee wrapped and braced after an unspecified injury suffered while diving for a ball on Friday.

In his place at first were tight end Jacob Wark and sophomore Andrew Knapp.

Knapp -- a catcher by trade, an outfielder in a pinch and now a first baseman by necessity -- looked quite nimble manning first, and while he does not have Wark's raw power, is a versatile bat with superior gap power.

Knapp was set to see most of his time as the designated hitter this season, while regularly spelling two-time All-Pac-10 backstop Chadd Krist behind the dish to prepare for a starting role behind the plate in 2013, but now, with Rodriguez down, he'll move over to first, opening up the DH spot for senior Danny Oh, who has come on strong through fall and spring practice.

Oh taking over the DH spot eases the outfield logjam a bit, but by no means solves it. Granted, it is a good problem for head coach David Esquer to have, given the talented bats available. Junior Vince Bruno -- who posted a team-leading .392 on-base percentage and two outfield assists in 2011 -- will likely take his strong arm to right field, with projected right fielder Oh as the DH, with athletic senior Chad Bunting manning center and junior speedster and bunter extraordinaire Darrell Matthews in left.

During live infield drills, Knapp acquitted himself well with the leather, picking several tough throws in the dirt and showing great athleticism and flexibility in stretching for throws off the bag. During relay drills, Knapp showed good instincts on the cut off, despite not being a natural first baseman. With Knapp manning first, sophomore Alex Egber has moved to the No. 2 catcher behind Krist. Egber is also a member of the campus Navy ROTC, and is a well-build backstop. His arm won't open eyes, but he handles pitchers well.

Though, at 6-foot-1, Knapp does not possess Wark's 6-foot-3 altitude, he more than makes up for it with leaping ability, showing good body control and awareness to come down on the bag.

Knapp didn't have to take flight too much, though. Infield defense looks to be one of this team's strengths, with a stable of strong, accurate arms and, as a group, far-above-average range.

Notable throughout spring practice has been sophomore shortstop Derek Campbell. Campbell can make just about every throw on the diamond, ranging to his left up the middle, and to his right in the hole. Campbell is almost always on the money with his strong delivery, and when he has to spin around on a tough grounder behind the bag, he locates his target and fires very quickly. Campbell is a defensive upgrade at the shortstop position over Chicago White Sox draftee Marcus Semien, and he'll save more than his fair share of runs as he learns how to hit consistently at the college level. With the other bats in the lineup, any production over .250 from Campbell in the nine-hole will be an added bonus.

During live infield with hitters at the plate, Campbell barehanded a ball between the pitcher's mound and the second base bag and made a strong throw to first, just barely beat out by the speedy Matthews.

Third baseman Mitch Delfino has continued his improvement with the leather at third. On one play during live infield, the powerful junior ranged to his left, gloved a grounder, spun and delivered a perfect throw to first. He then ranged right, up the third base line, to glove a scorcher by do-everything sophomore Mike Reuvekamp. He then set his feet and fired across his body to nail Reuvekamp at first.

Reuvekamp may turn out to be one of the more valuable reserves on the infield, in his own right, playing third, short and second. The former catcher out of Diablo Valley College has a very quick exchange and is a scrappy fielder, extending his range with dives and slides. He's definitely not afraid to get dirty.

Another newcomer to watch will be freshman Chris Paul. Paul made a sliding stop to his left while playing short and turned to make a strong throw to nail the runner at third during live infield.

At the dish, Paul impressed with gap-to-gap power, and the ball really jumps off of his bat.

Starting pitcher Matt Flemer threw a lengthy bullpen session with pitching coach Mike Neu, and showed consistent arm action between his fastball and off-speed stuff. His curve and change were particularly sharp, and his fastball showed good life.

In recruiting news, the Bears have secured a commitment from Granite Bay (Calif.) athlete Aaron Knapp, the younger brother of Andrew and the son of former Cal standout backstop Mike Knapp, who starred for the Bears in 1985 and 1986. Like his older brother, Aaron hits from both sides of the plate. Aaron plays outfield, catcher and second base for the Grizzly Bears, but will come in as a center fielder for the 2013 class. As a sophomore, Knapp hit .267 in 27 games, with six RBI, two doubles and a team-best 25 runs. He worked 21 walks and boasted an OBP of .411.

California senior Valerie Arioto has been on the shelf for more than a year after breaking her leg on the second day of practice last year, but one of the nation's best women's softball players came back with a bang in the No. 3 Bears' season opener against No. 9 Tennessee, drilling two home runs in rout to a 13-5 win.

The fifth-year senior hammered her 32^nd and 33^rd homers of her career  -- including a shot to center field in her very first at-bat -- as Cal pulled away late over the Lady Vols in Tempe, Ariz., behind a complete game from starter Jolene Henderson, who allowed nine hits and five runs while striking out five and walking eight.

The Bears start the road to Oklahoma City with a 1-0 record while Tennessee falls to 1-1.

Senior third baseman Jace Williams and true freshman catcher Danielle Henderson -- behind the plate for her big sister Jolene -- also chipped in with circuit shots, as Cal clawed back from an early 3-1 deficit.

After Arioto's 3-1 homer in the top of the first put the Bears on top, the Vols came back with a vengeance in the bottom of the frame. Senior Tennessee third baseman Ashley Andrews laid down a bunt single to lead off the frame, and was followed by a full-count walk to Lauren Gibson from Henderson, who then surrendered a soft line-drive single into left off the bat of Madison Shipman and issued a walk to Cheyanne Tarango to plate the Vols' first run of the game. An infield single from Shelby Burchell brought Gibson home and put Tennessee up 3-1.

Cal tied things up in the top of the second thanks to a bases-loaded passed ball on Vols catcher Hannah Akamine and then a wild pitch from starter Ivy Renfroe.

Tennessee added another run in the bottom of the second to take the lead, but following a walk to Arioto in the top of the third, Williams struck with her first longball of the season and the fourth of her career, putting one out to left center. Freshman shortstop Cheyenne Cordes -- making the first start of her Cal career -- worked a walk, and then Danielle Henderson crushed a four-bagger to right.

In the top of the fourth, designated player Britt Vonk worked a walk, and rode home on Arioto's second blast of the game -- over not only the outfield fence, but a second fence behind that.

It was all but academic by the top of the seventh, as the Bears added another trio of runs on run-scoring hits from Cordes, pinch-hitter Lindsey Ziegenhirt and a near-homer by Frani Echavarria, which glanced off the top railing of the outfield wall and bounced back in for an RBI single to plate Cordes.

On Saturday, the Bears play their first doubleheader of the season with an 8 a.m. PT game against Bradley and a 10:30 a.m. PT match-up with Texas State.

Notebook
The Bears now hold a 4-0 all-time record with the Vols
... Danielle Henderson notched her first homer in a Bear uniform ... Cordes, Danielle Henderson and Breana Kostreba made their first Cal starts
... The last time the two teams met, which was Feb. 26, 2005, Cal was the top team in the country while Tennessee was ranked fifth.

BERKELEY -- Just a few notes from Cal baseball practice on Tuesday, as the Bears continue to move ever closer to the opening of the 2012 season.

On Saturday, Matt Flemer went five innings and threw 64 pitches as he continues to stretch back out into a full-fledged starter. Flemer was an honorable mention All-Pac-10 closer last season, going 4-2 with a 1.83 ERA and six saves (eighth in Pac-10) in 30 relief appearances (sixth in the conference). He fanned 41 hitters with only eight walks in 39.1 innings, using mainly a fastball and a curve. This year, he's added some of his old pitches back into his repertoire from when he came to Berkeley as a starter out of El Cerrito (Calif.) St. Mary's.

Flemer will be stretched out to 80 pitches during Saturday's Fan Fest scrimmage. Senior side-arming righty Stephen Pistoresi is also scheduled to pitch.

In other starting rotation news, lefty Justin Jones said his arm felt "amazing" after 2.2 innings last week in his first live action since a nerve issue in his left biceps sidelined him after his start in the Santa Clara Super Regional against Dallas Baptist more than seven months ago.

Jones will likely take the hill on Feb. 17 against Pacific in the season opener, but should only go about four or five innings.

Freshman All-American Kyle Porter is well on-track to start on Sunday, but, to hear him tell it, he's ready to take the Saturday slot from Flemer.

"Disregard what Flemer tells you," Porter laughed as he left the field, after asked if he's ready for next Sunday. "Publish that just to piss him off."

Porter has been working on using his legs more during his delivery, and to take pressure off of his shoulder. He should be seeing an up-tick in velocity this season.

Expect the mid-week starting slots to go to two freshmen in crafty lefty Chris Muse-Fisher and Keaton Siomkin.

Another newcomer also making a big impression is Mike Reuvekamp, out of Diablo Valley College. Reuvekamp came in as a catcher, but the 5-foot-9, 150-pounder has shown a lot of versatility in spring practice, playing all over the infield. His teammates describe him as "scrappy," and it's hard to argue. He doesn't hesitate to get dirty, and he has plus hands while turning double plays from third, short and second. Along with stud freshman Chris Paul, he could wind up as the go-to utility man on defense.

Paul once again showed off his athleticism at all four infield positions, working in behind starting third baseman Mitch Delfino, at first behind starter Devon Rodriguez and Jacob Wark and at second behind Tony Renda. Paul showed great range at both second and short, and a plus arm from all over the diamond. While at third, Paul made a nifty backhanded pick and then a strong off-balance throw while falling away from second to turn the double play.

Wark -- who will see a lot of time with the No. 1 offense once spring football rolls around -- has tremendous power and is becoming smoother with the leather. He has been coming out early to the field to work with coaches all spring to make up for the time he'll lose to spring camp, and could wind up being the starting designated hitter by the time all is said and done.

Rodriguez has also shown a lot of improvement with the leather, and is much more sound defensively than he was last year. The Big Cat is showing a lot more quickness and range in practice lately, and has made several big plays up the line.

Sophomore catcher Andrew Knapp will likely start the season as the regular designated hitter, but also worked in with the outfielders. Knapp has a plus bat from both sides of the plate, so getting that bat into the lineup as regularly as possible will be a top priority. When not in the outfield or at DH, Knapp will spell two-time All-Pac-10 catcher Chadd Krist behind the dish.

In the bullpen, look for Logan Scott to close this season, with Joey Donofrio and Michael Theofanopoulos.

BearTerritory's projected Opening Day lineup:
Tony Renda 2B
Darrell Matthews CF
Chadd Krist C
Devon Rodriguez 1B
Mitch Delfino 3B
Chad Bunting RF
Vince Bruno LF
Andrew Knapp DH
Derek Campbell SS

Key Reserves:
Danny Oh OF
Chris Paul IF/OF
Paul Toboni 1B/OF
Michael Theofanopoulos RP/IF
Jacob Wark 1B/DH
Mike Reuvekamp C/IF

Danny Barrett scored four tries, Seamus Kelly had a hat trick, Anthony Lombardo and Jake Wrobel had two each, and six other Bears ruggers found the try zone as California defeated Stanford, 109-0 on Saturday at Steuber Rugby Stadium.

Flyhalf Alex Aronson connected on 6-of-8 conversions and fullback Jake Anderson converted 7-of-9 while Jack Clark's Bears prevented the Cardinal from reaching the try zone.

Stanford flyhalf Jason Liljenquist was unable to avert the shutout when his 40-meter penalty kick bounced off the crossbar in the 49th minute.

Senior Cal prop Jeremy Deterding bounced back from a minor midweek injury to play the entire match in his last collegiate battle for the Scrum Axe.

"There was nothing that was going to stop me from going out there with my teammates and getting it done," he said. "We came out and played hard for a full 80 minutes. It didn't come down to the score but how hard we were working."

The Bears (6-0) quickly hopped back on their bus after the match to travel to Rancho Cordova, where they face Sacramento State at 7:30 p.m. as the featured match at the Kickoff Tournament at Cordova High School.

The Scoring Timeline vs. Stanford:

03:00 Jake Anderson 5

07:00 Danny Barrett 5, Alex Aronson 2

10:00 Danny Barrett 5, Alex Aronson 2

12:00 Anthony Lombardo 5

16:00 Seamus Kelly 5, Alex Aronson 2

19:00 Josh Tucker 5, Alex Aronson 2

29:00 Connor Ring 5

35:00 Seamus Kelly 5, Alex Aronson 2

38:00 Anthony Lombardo 5

40:00 Danny Barrett 5, Jake Anderson 2

Halftime: California 62, Stanford 0

46:00 Seamus Kelly 5

55:00 Jake Wrobel 5, Jake Anderson 2

58:00 Jake Wrobel 5, Jake Anderson 2

60:00 Brad Harrington 5, Jake Anderson 2

62:00 Danny Barrett 5, Jake Anderson 2

73:00 Brendan Daly 5, Jake Anderson 2

80:00 Jared Braun 5, Jake Anderson 2

Final Score: California 109, Stanford 0

The Team vs. Stanford:

15. Anderson, 14. Tucker, 13. Kelly (Braun @ 62:00), 12. Harrington, 11. Lombardo, 10. Arsonson, 9. Ring (Caravelli @ 74:00), 8. Barrett, 7. Colin (Bush @ 74:00), 6. De Nysschen, 5. Daly, 3. Deterding ©, 2. Wrobel, 1. Mohr

BERKELEY — For the first time ever, the Cal Athletic Ticket Office will be providing Golden Bear baseball fans an opportunity to purchase season passes for the 2012 Cal baseball home schedule. Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 1 fans can contact the Cal Athletic Ticket Office at 1-800-Go-Bears (1-800-462-3277) or go directly to the Cal Baseball ticket link to purchase season passes. The $200 season passes  $200 will enable fans to attend all 20 of the Bears' home games this season. Day of game individual ticket sales will be $10 for adults and $5 for seniors. Youth 12th grade and younger and Cal students are admitted free.

Also for the first time ever, the Cal Baseball program will offer season parking passes, available available at a cost of $75. The parking pass will be good for home weekend games only (Saturday and Sunday) which will include 13 total dates. The baseball parking pass will only be good for Frank Schlessinger Way, which is located off of Oxford Street along Edwards Track Stadium, Hellman Tennis Complex and Evans Diamond. For more information on the baseball parking passes go to the following Parking Services link.

In an opportunity to help celebrate a remarkable 2011 season and preview the 2012 Golden Bears, the California athletic department and the Cal Baseball Foundation will be hosting the school's first-ever Fan Fest on Saturday, Feb. 11 beginning at 11 a.m. at Evans Diamond.

Admission to the event is free as baseball fans of all ages will be able to help celebrate the Bears' trip to the 2011 College World Series, and then watch David Esquer's squad compete in a Blue and Gold intra-squad scrimmage starting at 1 p.m. The morning festivities will give Cal fans a chance to meet the Bear players and coaches, test their baseball skills on-field at Evans Diamond, get autographs and photos with the Cal players and enjoy several other fun activities and displays.

The Cal Baseball Fan Fest will give people the chance to purchase season passes for the 2012 Cal baseball home schedule as well. Representatives from the Cal Athletic Ticket Office will be available to sell season passes.

The Bears begin their 2012 campaign with a three-game series versus Pacific, Feb. 17-19, hosting the Tigers Feb. 17 (1:30 p.m.) and Feb. 19 (1 p.m.) at Evans Diamond, while traveling to Stockton Feb. 18 for a 1 p.m. game at Klein Family Field.

Read more about the Cal baseball team, and BearTerritory.net's exclusive, in-depth coverage at our baseball page HERE.

BERKELEY -- Most newly-minted 21-year-olds spend the day as a mess on the ground, and Cal baseball second baseman Tony Renda was no different. Except he was diving for grounders in the hole, and the mess on his pants was a patina of wet infield dirt and fresh grass stains.

As the baseball Bears gear up for the 2012 campaign just 24 days away, the same Cal team that was eliminated as a program a year ago has new motivation for the upcoming season: a rankings snub in the preseason Baseball America rankings.

As he runs to the dugout to pick up his mitt, Renda -- a pre-season All-American and reigning conference Player of the Year -- flashes a smile and asks, "You seen the rankings? Not even top-20. Not ranked at all."

After finishing fifth in the 2011 College World Series, Cal was tabbed No. 8 in the venerable publication's final rankings, something that also rankles this year's Bears, particularly when one considers that they have lost few key contributors. But, the snub may be for the best. Last year's squad was fueled by the mantra: "Prove someone wrong." And that's just what they're looking to do this year. Again. Tuesday's music station of choice? 94.1 FM Omaha.

Before the season commences with a home-away-home series against Pacific, the Cal Baseball Foundation has set up a week of activities leading up to the Feb. 17 Opening Day. On Feb. 10, the foundation will host the first annual First Pitch Dinner for donors and supporters of the program — and at least one intrepid reporter, working on a book about the 2011 season — and on Feb. 11, the team will play an intra-squad game as the centerpiece of Cal Baseball FanFest, with our very own Danny Freisinger working the mic as the public address announcer.

Visit http://www.calbaseballfoundation.org/ for details.

While fireballing righty Erik Johnson is gone -- taken in the second round of the MLB Draft in June by the Chicago White Sox -- in his stead is the now-healthy lefty Justin Jones, who will start on Fridays. The pre-season All-American hurler has been throwing ever since the Bears returned to practice following winter break, and, though he has shaved off his trademark beard and trimmed his locks, he threw well off of flat ground out of a full wind-up on Tuesday with good velocity.

Behind Jones in the weekend rotation will be righty Matt Flemer -- an All-Pac-10 closer last year -- and Freshman All-American lefty Kyle Porter.

While starting shortstop Marcus Semien was scooped up by the Pale Hose in the sixth round of the draft, true sophomore Derek Campbell looks to be an upgrade in the fielding department as the starting keystone man, and has great chemistry with Renda turning the double play.

Behind Campbell and Renda in the middle infield is the true freshman duo of Chris Paul and Brenden Farney, respectively.

Paul is a superb athlete based on the practices observed seen so far, and can really play just about anywhere. He even took some reps at first base, behind starter Devon Rodriguez, two-sport athlete Jacob Wark and Michael Theofanopoulos, who will see double-duty this year as a relief pitcher and utility player. He'll have to be versatile, as with the graduation of both Kevin Miller and Dixon Anderson (who was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the ninth round) the Bears will be a little short-handed in the bullpen.

Sophomore transfer Mike Reuvekamp out of Diably Valley College really impressed taking reps behind starting third baseman Mitch Delfino, who's glovework has shown a lot of improvement since the beginning of last season. Reuvekamp has quick hands, with a deft transfer and a strong arm.

The real surprise through fall and early spring practice has been the emergence of senior outfielder Danny Oh. A victim of too many outfielders for too few spots last season, players and those within the program have said that Oh has finally found the click point, and should turn in a very strong year in right field.

As a sophomore, Oh earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors and hit .294 with 11 doubles, two triples and 30 RBI, to go along with a 10-game hitting streak. As a freshman in 2009, Oh hit .303 in 195 at-bats with five doubles, two triples, seven homers and 35 RBI.

During practice on Tuesday, Oh made a stand-out play with a one-hopper throw to the plate from middle-deep right field during relay drills, which have started to become a regular part of practice earlier in the calendar than in years past.

Oh and others will benefit from the departure of Austin Booker -- who was drafted in the 33rd round by the Oakland Athletics as a graduating senior -- and the transfer of Louie Lechich -- a left-handed pitcher and center fielder -- to San Diego.

Junior Darrel Matthews -- who started 35 games in center in 2011 -- has moved to left, and took reps there along with junior Vince Bruno. Matthews looks to have improved his arm strength -- a weak spot last season, while there remains no doubt as to the prowess of Bruno's arm.

Senior Chad Bunting -- who was sidelined from March 13 until May 7 last season due to a badly sprained thumb -- returns for what could be a break-out season for the former bullpen catcher. Bunting had one of the best falls at the plate, according to multiple players, and looked to take the first reps in center field after starting in right much of 2011 with the strongest outfield arm on the team. In 2011, Bunting hit .276 with four doubles, a triple, a team-high seven home runs and 25 RBI, and started the season on an 11-game hitting streak.

Behind Bunting in center was true freshman Brian Celsi.

RELEASE: ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Former Cal punter Bryan Anger shined for the winning West squad in the 87th East-West Shrine Game, played Saturday at Tropicana Field. Anger averaged 60.0 yards per punt in three attempts for the 24-17 winners.

Anger's first punt midway through the first quarter sailed 59 yards and he added another four yards of net punting when returner Charles Brown lost four yards bringing it back. Anger would later have punts of 60 and 61 yards in the third and fourth quarter, respectively.

"I came in this week hoping to display my abilities, primarily hangtime, and get my name out there as the top punter in the nation," Anger said. "I am looking forward to kicking at the NFL Scouting Combine in February and then whatever else is to come afterwards."

Anger became only the second player in the history of Cal football to earn first-team all-conference honors for three consecutive seasons during his final three campaigns at Cal (2009-11). He was named the College Football Performance Awards' Elite Punter Trophy for his combined performance during the 2010 and '11 season. Anger played in all 51 games possible as Cal's starting punter from 2008-11, posting an average of 43.5 yards per punt that ranks second all-time at the school behind Scott Tabor's 44.0 (1986-87). He was a Ray Guy Award semifinalist in both 2008 and '10, and on the watch list for the prestigious honor for each of his four collegiate campaigns.

Anger broke a 23-year-old single-season school record previously held by Tabor with the 45.6 yards per punt average he posted as a junior in 2010. He boasts three of the top six seasons ever by a Cal punter, adding averages of 44.2 and 43.1 yards per punt in 2011 and 2008 that rank fifth and sixth. He has also been credited with four of the 12 longest punts in school history, including a career-long punt of 76 yards at Stanford in 2008 that ranks fourth all-time at Cal and a 75-yarder in the same contest that is tied for fifth.

As a senior in 2011, Anger's average of 44.2 yards per punt ranks as the fifth-best in school history, as well as the third-best in the Pac-12 and No. 13 nationally for the season. Cal was even better in net punting, ranking No. 10 nationally with an average of 39.74 yards per punt. He was named a National Punter Performer of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards for his showing at UCLA, when he averaged 49.6 yards overall and a career-high 49.0 yards net on five punts.

Anger joined an elite list of football greats, such as John Elway, Tom Brady, Brett Favre, and 62 NFL Hall of Famers, who have played in the East-West Shrine Game along with 52 players currently on active NFL rosters.

"I am very honored to have played in the East-West Shrine Game," Anger said. "Tonight wrapped up a great week of activities, and I would like to thank all of the Shriners and their staff for making it such a memorable event."

BERKELEY -- Two highly-touted members of Cal's 2012 football recruiting class have already enrolled in school and, as of Tuesday, began attending classes on the first day of the spring semester.

Quarterback Zach Kline (Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) and offensive tackle Christian Okafor (Houston, TX/Westbury HS) graduated from their respective high schools in December and are slated to participate in the Golden Bears' practices this spring.

A four-star prospect, Kline is rated as the nation's No. 3 quarterback by Rivals and was a high school All-American in 2011, participating in the Under Armour All-America Game and also being listed by SuperPrep as an All-American. Kline was named the Gatorade California Football Player of the Year and a first-team member of the San Francisco Chronicle's All-Metro squad as a senior when he completed 230-of-341 passes for a school-record 67.4 completion percentage, a school-record-tying 36 touchdowns and 3,630 passing yards to rank fourth in the state of California and No. 18 nationally.

Okafor is a Rivals.com three-star recruit, and committed to the Bears following five-star Shaq Thompson's recruiting efforts during an official visit to Arizona State and a resulting official visit to Berkeley.

The remainder of Cal's 2012 football recruiting class is expected to be announced on National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

The California men's rugby team defeated UCLA, 58-0, in Sunday's final of the UCLA Tournament. Danny Barrett and Seamus Kelly scored two tries, Alex Aronson went 6-for-8 on conversions and added two penalty kicks and six other Bears found the try zone as Cal improved to 4-0 on the season.
It was the seventh straight UCLA Tournament win for Cal, with the last six finals coming against the Bruins. All 50 Bears who made the trip saw action on the pitch during the weekend.

"There's nothing not to like about this tournament," said head coach Jack Clark. "The timing is perfect from a preseason standpoint and the tournament format provides a lot of minutes to be spread around the team."

Prior to the tournament final, the Bears brought a frosh/soph team to Loyola Marymount, where 10 players scored 14 tries, including a hat trick by outside center James Poindexter and pairs from flanker Carl Hendrickson and wing Hunter Frisinger en route to a 95-3 victory. Scrumhalf Nicklas Boyer connected on 5-of-7 conversions and Poindexter went 6-for-7, while Lions scrumhalf Gianluca Keeler averted a shutout with his first-half penalty kick.

Later on Sunday at UCLA, a more experienced team took the pitch and played solid rugby in front of a large crowd filled with many Cal supporters and others who enjoyed an event that has grown to include a youth-club bracket in addition to the collegiate competition.

"UCLA is really a capable host and a rugby program that continues to improve under their coach, Scott Stewart," said coach Clark. "I think they were a bit banged up with injuries today, which made it tough on them."

As a team, the Rugby Bears were grateful to kick off their season with so many minutes to distribute over four matches following two weeks of training camp.

"There were times when we lost our shape and could have used a little more communication, but overall we played hard and that's always good to see," said senior scrumhalf Connor Ring of Sunday's final. "Alex kicked well today and the forward pack had pretty good speed to the ball."

Aronson said, "We have a really young team this year and getting out there to play after breaking camp was good. There's a lot of lessons to take on, sticking to the systems and keeping our shape."

The Bears next travel to Vallejo to play Cal Maritime on Friday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. on Mare Island, followed on Saturday, Jan. 21, by a 1 p.m. contest at Santa Clara University.

Several Cal football targets and commits have been named to the 2012 Parade All-America Team, which has been selected each season since 1963, and has included several Heisman Trophy winners and future NFL stars.

Rivals.com No. 1 overall prospect Dorial Green-Beckham was named the Player of the Year.

Among those with ties to the Bears include tailback recruit D.J. Foster, who was named an All-American running back out of Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro, wide receiver Bryce Treggs out of Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco, lineman Arik Armstead out of Elk Grove (Calif.) Pleasant Grove, lineman Aziz Shittu out of Atwater (Calif.) Buhach Colony, defensive back Shaq Thompson out of Sacramento (Calif.) Grant.