Feb. 23, 2008
Box Score
FRESNO, Calif. - Junior Brad McAtee struck out a game-high six batters and did not allow a run through six innings, and fellow junior Jake Jefferies went 3-for-4 with two RBI's to help lead UC Davis to a 3-1 victory over No.18 Fresno State in the first game of a nonconference baseball doubleheader at Beiden Field Saturday. Fresno State's Tanner Scheppers fanned a series-high 10 batters and allowed only four hits to lead the Bulldogs to a win in the second game, 7-0.
The Aggies begin the season 2-1 while Fresno State is now 1-2.
Jefferies, who went 4-for-5 with two RBI's in the Aggies' win over the Bulldogs last night, put in another outstanding performance in the first game with three hits and two more RBI's. Senior Ryan Royster supplied three hits in four at-bats and scored a run. Both hitters now have over five hits in the first two games of the season. They did not play in the second game.
McAtee enjoyed the second consecutive impressive pitching performance for the Aggies as he went six innings with a game-high six strike outs to earn the win. Sophomore transfer Andy Suiter saw his first action as an Aggie and did not allow a run. Junior Justin Fitzgerald pitched the ninth inning and secured his second straight save. He had only three saves last season.
Jefferies put the Aggies on the board in the third inning with an RBI single to right field that scored Royster from second base. UC Davis scored its final two runs in the fifth inning to jump out to a 3-0 lead. Senior Matt Dempsey brought home redshirt freshman Rikki Foster with a sacrifice fly to left and Jefferies added the second run with another RBI single to the outfield to score freshman Grant Bauer.
The Aggies held a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth, but lost the shutout when Steve Detwiler drove in the team's lone run on a fielder's choice. The leadoff hitter singled to reach base and was brought around to third behind an error and a wild pitch.
UC Davis came out with a young lineup in the second game, featuring four freshmen in their first collegiate starts. Senior Trevor Fox had six strikeouts and allowed only three runs in 4.1 innings in the loss.
Scheppers pitched a gem in his first start of the season, fanning a series-best 10 batters and allowing only four hits in seven innings of work. Holden Sprague and Brandon Burke shut the Aggies out in the final two innings to complete the shutout.
The Bulldogs, who scored a combined three runs in the first two games, where led by Todd Sandell and Detwiler as they each drove in three runs. Trent Soares drove in the other run.
Fresno State scored a run in the first inning and two more in the third to jump out to a 3-0 lead. They double their lead in the sixth inning off a three-run shot by Sandell and added their final run the following inning.
Freshman Alex Dreyfuss and junior Grant Hirneise each had doubles to lead UC Davis.
The Aggies and Bulldogs complete the season-opening four-game series tomorrow with a 1:05 p.m. start time.
