March 31, 2006

Box Score

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside won its fourth straight game, taking the series opener 3-2 against visiting UC Davis in a non-conference game Friday night at the Riverside Sports Complex. The Highlanders improve to 15-9 while the Aggies fall to 10-13.

UCR got on the board first, going ahead 1-0 in the third when UC Davis shortstop Matt Dempsey threw away a grounder by senior RF Aaron Grant that scored junior CF Brett Bigler from second. The Aggies struck back in the top of the fourth on Lukas Kirby's solo home run.

The Highlanders regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Junior 1B Nick Salotti singled and went to third on sophomore 2B Drew Garcia's double to right. Salotti then came home as sophomore SS Jaime Pedroza laid down a safety squeeze bunt.

UCR made it 3-1 in the seventh when Grant singled through a drawn-in infield to plate Bigler.

Sophomore RHP James Simmons had another fine outing, throwing seven innings for the seventh time in eight starts to improve to 6-1. Simmons allowed three hits and two runs, walking two and striking out five.

Sophomore LHP Dan Runzler came on in the eighth, allowing a run-scoring double to Daniel Descalso. With the tying run on third, Runzler struck out Evan Hudson on a check swing to preserve UCR's lead.

UCR had an opportunity to increase its lead in the eighth but pinch-runner Carl Uhl was thrown out at home for the first out and Bigler grounded into a double play with the bases loaded to end the inning.

Junior RHP Daniel Stange pitched a perfect ninth for his seventh save.

Bigler finished the game 2-for-3 with two walks and three stolen bases while Salotti went 3-for-4.

Paul Gonzales (0-1) took the loss for UC Davis, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits in four innings.

The teams continue their series Saturday at 1 p.m. with the finale coming Sunday at 1 p.m.

(Press release courtesy UC Riverside Athletics Media Relations)