May 6, 2011
Box Score
STOCKTON, Calif. - Scott Kalush drove in three runs with a double in the fifth inning and Scott Lyman gave up only two runs as the UC Davis baseball team topped Pacific 6-3 in the Big West Conference series opener at Klein Family Field in Stockton.
UC Davis extends its winning streak to a season-high five games and improves to 14-25 overall and 7-6 in the Big West Conference. Pacific drops to 14-26 overall and 6-10 in conference play.
Pacific took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning when, with one out, Allen Riley and Daniel Johnston hit back-to-back doubles with Riley scoring the lone run of the inning.
The Aggies answered with a run in the very next inning as Brett Morgan was hit by a pitch, then scored from first base on a double from David Popkins.
Kalush would give UC Davis a 4-1 lead in the top of the fifth that the Aggies would never relinquish. Morgan walked to lead off the fifth, then Heylman was hit by a pitch. After Popkins' fly ball to center field, Eric Johnson hit a base hit into left field to load the bases with only one out for Kalush. The junior catcher connected on an 0-1 pitch with a bases-clearing double as all three Aggie base runners came in to score.
Seth Batty added a run in the sixth inning after turning a bunt into a base hit to lead off. Ryan Allgrove's sacrifice bunt moved Batty to third, then the Aggie left fielder advanced to third on a balk that was called on Pacific relief pitcher Peter Miller. A passed ball by Tiger catcher Aaron Hassel allowed Batty to score, giving UC Davis a 5-1 lead.
Johnson scored in the seventh inning to give UC Davis a 6-1 lead. The Aggie first baseman walked then moved to second on a hit from Kalush. As Miller turned to start a double play, his throw was dropped by Tiger shortstop Josh Simms and Johnson moved to third on the muffed throw. A wild pitch would bring Johnson home.
Pacific cut into UC Davis' lead, taking advantage of two wild pitches in the inning from Lyman. Riley and Johnston connected for back-to-back hits again, then advanced bases on Lyman's first errant throw. A second one from the Aggie pitcher allowed Riley to score, bringing the score to 6-2.
An RBI single from Josh Simms scored a run in the bottom of the ninth, but the Aggie defense held off the Tigers for the 6-3 win.
Scott Lyman went 6.2 innings, giving up only two runs on seven hits and striking out six for the win, moving to 3-4 on the year. Nathan Slater earned his first save of the year as he came in to relieve Lyman in the seventh and gave up only one run on two hits with two strikeouts.
John Prato Matthews drops to 0-4 with the loss.
Justin Andrade was 2-for-4 while five other Aggies hit safely. Johnston was 4-for-4 for Pacific while Riley was 2-for-4 with two runs.
UC Davis and Pacific return to action on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Klein Family Field.
