April 2, 2011

Game One Box

Game Two Box

DAVIS, Calif. - Alex Holmes struck out 19 batters on the day, including 10 in a 3-1 win in game two, after dropping a 7-3 decision in game one to Cal State Northridge on Saturday afternoon at La Rue Field.

Despite allowing five runs in game one, Holmes bounced back in a big way in game two, allowing just four hits en route to the win for the Aggies (16-13, 1-1). The Matadors (13-19, 1-1) earned the split by exploding four 10 hits, six doubles and a homerun in game one.

JJ Wagoner had a big day at the plate for UC Davis, registering three hits, two RBIs and a run scored in game two. Jessica Gonzalez had three hits on the day, including a multi-hit game in the first contest. Elizabeth Santana and Holmes also tallied a hit in both games. Tracy Allen was on fire for Cal State Fullerton, recording four hits, four RBIs and two runs scored in the doubleheader.

"A lesson learned today is that we need to focus on our opportunities," said head coach Karen Yoder. "We left some crucial opportunities open in the first game. The second game was a hard fought match. We definitely need to be well prepared for tomorrow to take the rubber match."

In game one, each team registered a hit in the first two innings but left the scoreboard blank. Cal State Northridge jumped out to a 2-0 lead, scoring a pair of runs after two hits and one error in the top of the second.

The lead-off hitter was on base for the Matadors in the second after a hit by pitch. Jaci Carlsen scored the first run with an RBI double down the left field line. Carlsen would later score on a stolen base and throwing error, giving Cal State Northridge a 2-0 advantage.

The Matadors kept the bats alive in the fifth inning adding four more runs to their lead. Carlsen stayed hot with a single through the left side followed by a walk with to put two on with one out. Allen sent out a two-RBI double to left field to post the first two runs.

The Aggies elected for a pitching change in the fifth, bringing in Jessica Thweatt in relief for Holmes. Cal State Northridge did not slow down however, as Madeline Sale had the second two-RBI double of the inning to put the Matadors on top 6-0.

The Aggies got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth, scoring one run on two hits. Holmes started the inning with a lead-off triple, her fifth of the season. Rachel Miller followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to score the run.

Cal State Northridge added an insurance run in the top of the seventh, with Allen sending out a lead-off solo home run to make the score 7-1.

UC Davis added two runs in the bottom of the seventh after two hits and an error, but the offense proved to be too little too late. Gonzalez started with a lead-off single before a fielder's choice put two on with no outs. After advancing he runners, Kelly Harman doubled to left center for two RBIs. The next two batters were retired in order however, making the final score 7-3.

Hannah Fraijo picked up the win to improve to 9-5 on the season after allowing just four hits and one run in 6.0 innings. Holmes took the loss after allowing six hits and four earned runs, while striking out nine in 4.1 innings of work.

In game two, both teams scored runs in the first inning before the defense settled in. Cal State Northridge manufactured a run after a lead-off walk, a sacrifice bunt and an RBI single up the middle from Allen.

The Aggies answered in the bottom inning with a run of their own, after a hit and wild pitch. Santana had the only hit in the inning, helping Gonzalez to score after she reached base on a hit by pitch, evening the score at 1-1.

UC Davis added a run in the bottom of the fourth, taking its first lead of the day with a 2-1 score. The Aggies took advantage of a Matador miscue, putting two runners on after an error and a walk. Wagoner provided the RBI hit, scoring a Guzman after a single up the middle.

After another blank inning, UC Davis added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. Holmes had a lead-off triple, her second triple of the day and sixth of the season. Wagoner wasted no time bringing in the run, using an RBI single to put the Aggies on top 3-1 heading into the seventh.

Holmes closed out the game quickly, retiring all three batters in order in the seventh to secure the win. Holmes improved to 11-10 on the season after allowing four hits and one run, while striking out 10 in a complete game. Carly Wade took the loss and dropped to 3-12 on the season after six hits and two earned runs in six innings of work.

UC Davis will complete the three-game series by playing a single game against Cal State Northridge tomorrow at 12 p.m.