Davis, Calif. - In between what became a season-opening series victory over PAC-12 foe Utah earlier this month, the UC Davis baseball program took time to thank donors and supporters on February 15th at a dedication for the team's newly completed batting cages.
Spear heading the project were Barbara and Earl Koberlein and Denny Holmes, who each had tunnels named for them. The third tunnel in the cages was named for John and Diane Watson for their roles in pushing the project forward.
Following a reception in the facility that also saw head coach Matt Vaughn speak to the immediate returns it has given the Aggies this season, the evening headed into the Arc Ballroom for the annual First Pitch Dinner where current Aggie players spoke and thanked donors and supporters.
With speeches that showcased the personalities of a team that Vaughn praised for their attitude and energy following February 29th's record-breaking 24 inning walk-off win, Holmes, Barbara and Earl Koberlein, Colby and Deb Craig, Dennis Gedestad, Matt and Serena Kamigawachi, Philip and Pamela La Chapelle, Stephen and Sandi McKae, John Patella, Ralph Rago, and Clay Sigg were among those to receive recognition in the Arc Ballroom.
The cages and the 24-hour access provided to UC Davis players has paid big dividends for the offense through 12 games this season. The Aggies lead the Big West Conference with a .280 team batting average and 124 hits with a conference-low 77 strike outs.
The season continues this weekend hosting Mount St. Mary's for a three-game series.
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. 6-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 animal science 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.
