Kiko Romero homers twice, drives in 6 to lead Arizona past Cal in Pac-12 opener

First baseman Kiko Romero had a career night to lead Arizona to a resounding 13-2 victory over Cal in the Pac-12 opener for both schools Friday night at Hi Corbett Field.

Romero, a JC transfer and Canyon del Oro High School graduate, went 4 for 5 with two home runs, a triple, five runs and six RBIs. The junior is now batting .377 in his first season with the Wildcats.

Arizona (10-3) won its seventh consecutive game and arguably had its best all-around performance of the season.

Starter TJ Nichols pitched 6⅔ innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out nine batters.

The Wildcats piled up 13 hits, struck out only four times and did not commit an error.

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Second baseman Garen Caulfield also homered. He went 2 for 5 with four RBIs.

Romero’s second home run, a solo shot, gave Arizona a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning. The Wildcats put up crooked numbers in the fifth (three runs), seventh (three) and eighth (four) innings.

Dawson Netz and Eric Orloff combined for 2⅓ innings of scoreless relief to close out the Golden Bears (8-4).

Game 2 of the three-game series is slated for 1 p.m. Saturday.