April 23, 2011

Final Stats

DAVIS, Calif. - Alex Holmes threw a complete game and struck out seven batters for the UC Davis softball team but the Aggies allowed an unearned run in the top of the seventh, as Cal State Fullerton escaped with a 1-0 victory to win the three-game series on Saturday at La Rue Field.

Holmes scattered four hits in the first six innings before the Titans took advantage of two errors to score in the top of the seventh. Cal State Fullerton had some strong pitching of their own, with Katey Laban starting and throwing four scoreless innings before Ari Cervantes threw three shut out innings to earn the win.

UC Davis (19-21, 4-8) had five hits as a team with extra base hits from Holmes and Jessica Gonzalez. The Aggies left 11 runners on base for the game, with Elizabeth Santana drawing three walks. Cal State Fullerton (20-18, 9-3) had four separate players with his, as Ashley Carter reached on an error to score the only run of the game.

"We have to do a better job of converting earlier in the game," said head coach Karen Yoder. "It shouldn't come down to one play defensively or one ball or strike call. We have to capitalize throughout the game instead of trying to in the final frame. (Holmes) did a great job of placing us in a position to win that game."

The pitcher's duel started in the first inning, with Holmes retiring the first three batters in order. The Aggies were also scoreless in the first, despite putting two runners on with walks.

UC Davis had runners in scoring position again in the third before stranding three on base. Holmes had the first hit of the game with a double to right center, followed by a walk and a hit by pitch. Laban got out of the inning however, thanks to a groundout to first.

Cal State Fullerton also had a fair share of runners left on base, stranding 10 for the game. Holmes got out of a jam in the top of the fourth, leaving the bases loaded after two hits and an error in the inning for the Titans.

Cervantes was in to pitch for Cal State Fullerton in the fifth, throwing just as effectively. The Aggies had a lead-off double from Gonzalez to start the bottom of the sixth but couldn't turn the extra base hit into a run. Cervantes managed to get out of the innings despite two runners in scoring position.

The Titans had no hits in the top of the seventh but managed to score the winning run after two errors. Carter started the inning by reaching on a fielding error and would later score after a second fielding error for a 1-0 advantage. UC Davis stranded two runners in both the sixth and seventh innings, as Cal State Fullerton held on for the one-run win.

Cervantes improved to 13-11 with the win, after allowing three hits and two walks in 3.0 innings of relief. Holmes dropped to 13-14 with the tough luck loss, allowing four hits and no earned runs in the complete game.

UC Davis will be back in action with an early game next week, playing the final nonconference game of the season at home against No. 10 Stanford on Tuesday, Apr. 26 at 3 p.m.