April 10, 1998

STANFORD, Calif.-- Sophomore Curtis Johnson's (Oakland, CA/St. Joseph's HS) RBI single in the top of the ninth led California (14-21 overall, 2-16 in the Pac-10 Southern Division) to a 4-3 win over top-ranked Stanford (28-6-1, 12-4) on Friday night at Sunken Diamond. The win helped the Golden Bears break a 26-game conference road losing streak (last Six-Pac road win: 6-3 at Arizona State, 4/14/96).

With runers on the corners and no one out in the top of the ninth, Johnson lined a 1-2 pitch into right field to score senior Aaron Gordnier (Rocklin, CA/Roseville HS) with the eventual winning run.

Golden Bear freshman left-hander Jason Dennis (Concord, CA/De La Salle HS) then wrapped up the first complete game of his career by retiring the Cardinal in order in the bottom of the ninth. Dennis allowed eight hits and three runs, two earned, while walking two and striking out three to improve to 5-2.

Stanford junior right-hander Jeff Austin (Kingwood, TX/Kingwood HS) threw his fifth complete game of the year, but it wasn't enough to avoid his first loss in 10 decisions. Austin allowed 12 hits and four earned runs, while not walking a batter and striking out a season-high 11.

California catcher Jason Hill (Alamo, CA/Monte Vista HS), who entered the game 1-for-37 lifetime against Stanford, went 3-for-4 with two RBI for the winners. Sophomore John Gall (Portola Valley, CA/St. Francis HS) had two hits, including a double, for the Cardinal.

Game two of the series is on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Cal's Evans Diamond.

Linescore                   R   H   E
California  100 002 001 --- 4   12  4
Stanford    001 002 000 --- 3   8   0

Dennis and Hill; Austin and Salter. WP - Dennis (5-2). LP - Austin (9-1). 2B - Hill (CAL) 2, Gordnier (CAL), Gall (STAN), Muth (STAN). Records - California 14-21 overall (2-16 in the Six-Pac), Stanford 28-6-1 (12-4).