CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – Junior outfielder Alyse Rojas earned four hits, including a three-run homer in the nightcap against Wisconsin, but UC Davis ultimately lost both games in Saturday's portion of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic softball tournament at Big League Dreams. The Aggies lost their morning contest to Texas A&M, 9-5, then fell to the Badgers by a 9-6 final in the afternoon.
UC Davis moves to 7-7 for the year.
Alyse Rojas had two hits in each game, while center fielder Marissa Jauregui went 3-for-7 for the day. Second baseman Sommer Kisling hit 2-for-3 with two runs scored against Wisconsin, while third baseman Leah Polson reached four times in the two games.
UC Davis drew first blood against Texas A&M with catcher Riley Siegel's two-run double in the first. Then after TAMU regained the lead with a three-run third, UC Davis pushed across three more in fourth to claim a 5-3 edge. Jauregui, Polson, Alyse Rojas and Marisa Given each had hits in that inning.
That lead proved short lived, however, as Texas A&M scored two each in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, during which UC Davis was held hitless.
Against Wisconsin, UC Davis was again the first to score. Kisling and Alyse Rojas singled to lead off the third inning, then Isabella Leon battled through 12 pitches before her base hit loaded the basis. Kisling later scored on a Maddie Rojas comebacker to the pitcher. However, the Badgers answered with four in the bottom half of the third, capitalizing on two Aggie errors with a bases-loaded double by shortstop Lauren Foster.
The Aggies added two more in the fourth thanks to two UW errors, but the Badgers bats kept adding to their lead: one run in the fourth and four more in the fifth. Pinch hitter Caroline Hedgcock and 2019 unanimous All-American left fielder Kayla Konwent each came up with RBI doubles for Wisconsin.
UC Davis halved the lead in its sixth, as Alyse Rojas' homer plated Kisling and Gabby Zagone. Maddie Rojas and Marissa Jauregui each reached on base hits in the sixth and seventh, respectively, but were stranded there.
For the third straight weekend, Alyse Rojas provided strong offense for UC Davis: .429 hitting with .643 slugging, five runs, five RBIs and 3-for-3 in stolen bases. Jauregui finished 5-for-12 for the weekend (.417) with four runs, while Leon totaled three extra base hits during the four MNCC games.
UC Davis returns to action on Wednesday for a midweek game at Sacramento State then hosts Saint Mary's, Santa Clara, Texas State, UConn and Utah State at the Capital Classic on Friday through Sunday.
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 among the top 10 public universities nationwide according to U.S. News and World Report, UC Davis 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 in 2017-18, 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.
MARYA WELCH INITIATIVE: Named after the former physical education instructor, coach and Dean of Women who founded women's sports on the campus 25 years before the passage of Title IX, the Marya Welch Initiative for Women's Athletics provides comprehensive support for UC Davis' 16 women's athletics programs. Through the support of the Marya Welch Initiative and its group members, student-athletes are provided the best possible opportunity to succeed inside the classroom, and in competition, through special project gifts and by increasing visibility and participation at women's events throughout the year. All gifts to the Marya Welch Initiative are matched 1:1, doubling the impact on our women's programs. Visit this site for more information.
DON'T MISS OUT: Tickets for all UC Davis sports are on sale by contacting the Athletics Ticket Office at (530) 752-AGS1 or by visiting us online at tickets.ucdavis.edu.
