SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Senior Caleb Van Blake led an offensive attack that produced eight runs, but it wasn't enough to push UC Davis over the top in their 9-8 loss to No. 7 UC Santa Barbara on Thursday afternoon at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.
UC Davis drops to 11-19 on the year, 3-7 in Big West play. Sophomore Tim Wieser took the loss for the Aggies. His record moves to 0-2 this season. No. 7 UC Santa Barbara, on the other hand, improves to 28-5, 6-1 in-conference, with the victory. With the win, freshman Michael Mcgreevy's 2019 mark advances to 5-0.
Sophomore Brett Erwin made the start for UC Davis. The southpaw went six innings, giving up five runs, all of them earned, on nine hits. The Aggies then went to the bullpen, relieving Erwin with Wieser, who threw 1.1 innings, giving up four runs and three hits with two walks and one strikeout. Junior Steve Ouellette finished the game for UC Davis, securing the contest's final two outs without allowing a run while giving up no hits.
In total, UC Davis pitchers gave up the nine UC Santa Barbara runs, seven earned, on 12 hits, walking four and striking out one.
Van Blake led the way offensively for UC Davis, going 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI along with a walk. Junior Logan Denholm put together a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 1-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Junior Alec Smith also contributed for UC Davis, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. UC Santa Barbara's offense was led by sophomore Andrew Martinez, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs on the day.
Collectively, UC Davis scored their eight runs on 11 hits, one of which went for extra bases, including one home run. The Aggies supplemented their attack by drawing four walks from UC Santa Barbara pitchers. When they did swing the bat, UC Davis was clutch at the dish. The Aggies went 4-for-5 with runners in scoring position, with freshman Conner Longrie accounting for one of those hits.
The Aggies and the Gauchos return to Caesar Uyesaka Stadium for game two tomorrow (Apr. 19) with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. PT.
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.
