Feb. 22, 2013
Final Stats
Davis, Calif. - Kevin Barker had three hits and three RBI's on Friday, including a go-ahead two-run triple in the seventh, but visiting Utah rallied with five runs over the final two frames to post an 11-8 nonconference baseball win over UC Davis in the opener of a four-game weekend series at Dobbin Stadium.
The loss snapped the Aggies' two-game winning streak, dropping their record to 4-2. Utah ended its two-game losing streak, evening its mark at 2-2. Kody Davis and T.J. Bennett each had two hits for the Utes.
UC Davis trailed 6-1 after five innings but picked up three runs in the sixth, and then RBI singles from John Williams and Nick Lynch in the seventh inning, before Barker slammed a triple to deep right as part of a four-run rally that gave the Aggies an 8-6 lead.
UC Davis led 8-7 heading into the ninth inning but Utah touched reliever Max Cordy for four runs - two of them unearned - to take an 11-8 lead. Josh Chapman allowed a single to Adam Young in the home half of the ninth but was able to close the door and pick up his first win.
The Aggies put themselves in a position for their third come-from-behind win of the young season after spotting Utah four runs in the third inning against starter Harry Stanwyck. UC Davis committed three errors in the inning while Davis had a run-scoring single to right and designated hitter Chase Rezac had a sacrifice fly.
Paul Politi's RBI-double to left, which extended his hitting streak to 16 games, scored shortstop Evan Heptig for the Aggies' first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth. Bennett tripled and Rezac doubled as part of a two-run fifth as they Utes answered to take a 6-1 lead in the fifth.
But UC Davis was able to battle back, putting together a two-out rally that was highlighted by Barker's single to center that scored Mike Mazzara, and catcher Spencer Brann's two-run double to right-center that closed the deficit to 6-4.
The Aggies came back strong again in the seventh when Williams singled through the right side to bring around Tino Lipson, Lynch singled through the opposite side to plate Williams, and then Barker had his long triple to bring around Steven Patterson and Lynch for two more runs. Patterson had reached on a double to left.
First baseman Biss Larsen's single gave Utah runners at first and second in the ninth with none out while an intentional walk to Rezac with one out loaded the bases. Tyler Reifer, however, was able to bounce a ball up the middle to score two runs while an infield error allowed two more to come across and give Utah an 11-8 lead.
UC Davis outhit the Utes, 15-10, with Patterson, Heptig and Lipson each collecting a pair. Patterson also scored two runs. Stanwyck allowed six runs - two of them unearned - while striking out six and walking just two in 5-1/3 innings.
The Aggies have 38 hits over their last two games.
Utah starter Brock Duke allowed 10 hits and five runs through his six innings, picking up four strikeouts and two walks. Chapman allowed just one hit over his two innings of work.
The teams will play the second game of their series Saturday at 1 p.m. Righthander Spencer Koopmans (0-0) gets the call for UC Davis and will face Utah lefty Tanner Banks (0-1). The series continues with single games on Sunday and Monday.
