March 4, 2011
Box Score
DAVIS, Calif. - The UC Davis baseball team jumped to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning, but could not overcome the strong bats from No. 21 Fresno State as the Bulldogs claimed a 12-4 lead on Friday at Dobbins Stadium in Davis.
UC Davis drops to 2-7 overall while Fresno State improves to 7-1.
Brett Morgan led off the inning with a single, Daniel Cepin walked right after him and both runners came around to score on a single through the left side from Scott Lyman.
Fresno State took back the lead, scoring six runs in the top of the second inning, but Aggie starting pitcher Dayne Quist found a groove. After striking out Jordan Ribera to end the second, Quist retired the side in the third.
The Aggies scored again in the bottom half of the third after David Popkins doubled down the left field line then scored on an RBI base hit from Paul Politi.
Leading 6-3 in the top of the fifth, the Bulldogs put another three runs on the board to go up 9-3 on the Aggies.
UC Davis scored its final run in the bottom of the ninth. Scott Heylman was hit by a pitch to start the inning off, then Eric Johnson singled up the middle to reach first base and advance Heylman. Pinch hitter Drew Lassen was hit as well to load the bases with no outs. Heylman would score from third after Morgan ground into a double play. Kevin Grove, pinch hitting for Daniel Cepin, struck out to end the game.
Despite giving up nine runs on 11 hits, Quist struck out eight Bulldog batters in five innings on the mound. Joe Biagini took over in the sixth and retired the side but allowed three runs on four hits in his two innings of work. Scotty Walker replaced Biagini in the eighth and held the Bulldogs hitless while recording three strikeouts.
Lyman was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI to lead UC Davis offensively while Popkins was 1-for-3 with a double.
For the Bulldogs, Derek Benny went eight full innings on the mound and struck out only one while walking four.
Danny Muno registered three hits for Fresno State while four other Bulldogs recorded two hits.
The three-game series continues Saturday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Dobbins Stadium with lefty Anthony Kupbens starting on the mound for UC Davis against right hander Greg Gonzalez for Fresno State.
