SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Freshman Jalen Smith drove in both Aggie runs on the night marking his third multi-RBI performance of the season, while sophomore Tanner Murray extended his hitting streak to nine games, but the Aggies could not close the gap on Causeway rival Sacramento State, resulting in an 8-2 win for the Hornets on Tuesday night at John Smith Field.  

The Aggies slip to 6-9 on the season and will look to bounce back in their next game tomorrow (Mar. 13) at Phil Swimley Field against Pacific. The Hornets improve to a 9-7 overall mark.

Tim Wieser (0-1) suffered the loss for UC Davis after allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits while tying a career-high three strikeouts over 2.2 innings of work—one of six Aggie hurlers to take the mound. Dash Dunham (1-0) earned the win for the Hornets after allowing just one hit and striking out one over two innings of relief—one of six Hornets to take the mound. 

The Aggies were first to strike on Tuesday night at John Smith Field, taking a 2-0 lead over the Hornets in the first. After junior Cooper Morrison reached safely on a misplay by the Hornets he quickly advanced within 90 feet of home plate thanks to a pair of stolen bases. The Richmond, Calif-native is now a perfect 5-for-5 on the base paths this season. Drawn walks by redshirt junior Logan Denholm and senior Caleb Van Blake put Aggies at every base and helped set up Smith's 2-RBI single—his 11th hit of the season--to give the Aggies a two-run advantage. 

But the Aggies' lead was short-lived as the Hornets answered back with a two-run effort of their own in the home half of the second after Dawsen Bacho led off the inning with a double down the left field line. 

The UC Davis defense then ran into some trouble in the third after two pitching changes, three walks, and two wild pitches gave the Hornet offense some momentum. Inheriting runners on the corners Wieser managed to scratch his way out of a jam, following a walk to Vincelli-Simard with three back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning and shut the door on the Hornets.

But two innings later Sacramento State then took the lead for good, plating one run on a sacrifice fly by Griffin McCormick before putting the game out of reach with five more scores over the next three innings.

Murray, Van Blake, sophomore Joseph Myers, and senior Cameron Briggs also singled on the night, but it would not be enough to catch the Hornets. 

The Aggies had their chances, stranding seven runners on the base paths—including three in scoring position. Of the 11 runners left on base by Sacramento State, seven were in scoring position. 

Murray continues to pace UC Davis with a nine-game hitting streak to go along with eight multi-hit performances on the season so far. 

UC Davis returns to action tomorrow (Mar. 13) at Phil Swimley Field as the Aggies host Pacific at 2:30 p.m. 


ABOUT UC DAVIS
Providing a small-town community feel while providing a world-class academic experience, UC Davis is home to more than 37,000 students and centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley. The No. 5-ranked public university in the nation, according to the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education, offers nearly 100 graduate programs and more than 100 academic majors across four colleges and six professional schools, ranking among the world and nation's best in numerous disciplines, including veterinary science, agriculture, and plant and animal programs.

AGGIE EVO
Established during the 2017-18 academic year, the Aggie EVO System is UC Davis Athletics' investment in the primary mission of preparing student-athletes for a successful "launch" after graduation. Thanks to a collaboration of alumni, university resources, corporate partners, coaches and Student-Athlete Outcomes staff, all Aggies are guided over four years to acquire the skills, knowledge, opportunities and tools to better know and navigate the "World of Work" after graduating from UC Davis. Follow the Aggie EVO system on Twitter and Instagram at @AggieEVO.

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