May 12, 2009
Final Stats
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Freshman left-hander Anthony Kupbens gave up just one hit and did allow a run through six innings, and senior Grant Hirneise and freshman Scott Kalush each drove home two runs to lead UC Davis to a 9-1 victory over Santa Clara in non-conference baseball action Tuesday night at Stephen Schott Stadium.
The Aggies have now won three of their last four games to improve to 10-37 while Santa Clara falls to 19-30. UC Davis' victory also gives each team a road victory in the two-game season series. The game was also the final home contest of the season for the Broncos.
Kupbens enjoyed the best start of his career as he pitch six innings and did not allow a run while giving up only one hit. Kupbens also struck out three batters and managed to get around four walks in his first collegiate victory. The Broncos scored their only run in the seventh. Reliever Jeremy McChesney came on and pitched shutout baseball through the final 2.2 innings and struck out a game-high four batters.
Hirneise and Kalush both drove in a game-best two runs to help lead an Aggie offense that put up nine runs on 15 hits. Justin Schafer finished with three hits, two of which were doubles, and an RBI to push his hitting streak to eight games. He now has multiple hits in six of those eight games. Joseph Medeiros went 3-for-3 from the plate and was one of seven Aggies with an RBI in the contest.
For Santa Clara, Chris Morton had the team's only RBI in the seventh inning when he singled home Kyle Van Dusen from second base. On the mound, Scott Kalush's older brother, Steve, gave up five runs on seven hits through six innings in the loss. Scott did not get a hit off his brother but did get an RBI in the fourth inning.
UC Davis scored four runs in the first inning to jump out to an early lead of three or more runs for the third time in its last four games. Schafer doubled to start the inning and Daniel Cepin singled to put the first two runners on base. Despite a fielder's choice from the next two batters, UC Davis managed to get the most out of the hot start. Jared Thompson doubled down the right field line to score Cepin from third base. Hirneise then singled up the middle to plate Thompson and Ryan Scoma. Medieros capped the inning with another RBI single in the next at-bat to bring home Hirneise, who had stolen second.
Kalush's RBI in the fourth inning was the only scoring either team would manage through the next five innings. The Aggies added another run in the seventh inning off an RBI double from Ty Kelly. Schafer opened the inning with a double for the second time and scored on Kelly's double following a fly out.
Santa Clara's lone run came on just one hit in the seventh inning. Van Dusen was hit by a pitch to begin the inning and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Morton then singled up the middle to score him. Following a ground out, McChesney came on and got the final two outs on a called strike three and a fly out.
UC Davis put up three more runs in the eighth inning to run away with the victory. All three runs were scored after the first two outs of the inning were recorded. Medeiros and Scott Heylman singled and Kalush made it three in a row to plate pinch runner Scott Heylman, who came on to run for Medieros. Schafer and Cepin followed with RBI singles to cap the two-out rally.
The Aggies return to conference action this weekend as they travel to No. 1 UC Irvine for a three-game series. The Anteaters have already claimed share of the conference title with an impressive 17-1 mark. All three games will be on Big West TV. Friday's game begins at 6 p.m.
