DAVIS, Calif. -- Second-year righthander Kenedi Brown struck out five batters and worked her way out of jams in each of the last three innings to lead UC Davis to a 3-2 win over Long Beach State in Big West Conference women's softball action at La Rue Field Sunday afternoon.

The Aggies post their first conference win of the year, moving to 1-5 in league play and 7-18 overall. The Beach drops to 9-5 for the season and suffers its first Big West lost, falling to 5-1.

UC Davis also enjoyed hitting through the heart of the order, getting two hits each from second baseman Sommer Kisling, shortstop Isabella Leon, right fielder Megan Bower and left fielder Leah Polson in the 2-5 spots of the lineup. Catcher Anna Dethlefson also reached twice and had her sixth and seventh stolen bases during those appearances. She even scored from second on Kisling's bunt single in the first inning to put the Aggies on the board.

UC Davis made it 2-0 when Starks grounded out with the bases loaded, then increased its lead to 3-0 on a Bower RBI single in the third.

Brown only surrendered three hits in the first four innings, but lost her shutout bid when the top of the Beach order singled in succession to load the bases with one out. Third baseman Suzy Brookshire grounded out the Leon but Naomi Hernandez came home to put LBSU on the board. Brown then coaxed a ground out to Sarah Starks at first to quell the threat.

In the sixth, the Beach rallied again, this time on a leadoff single by pinch hitter Mikayla Ceballos, then a two-base throwing error that moved both players in scoring position with no outs. Brown then struck out Lilyanna Martinez and Breezy Wize in order, then retired Hernandez on a grounder to seventh.

Long Beach State threatened yet again in the seventh, loading up the bases on two singles and an error, the later of which pushed designated player Kyra Snyder across the plate to cut the margin to 3-2. Brown fanned catcher Ashley Machado, then allowed a Cam Cecil single to load the bases. With the Aggie infield drawn in, Beach second baseman Emily Salazar hit a sharp ground ball to the right side of the keystone, but Kisling snared the ball and quickly threw home to Dethlefson to force out the potential equalizer. Brown then caught Martinez looking at pitch that clipped in the inside edge of the strike zone.

Brown also got some defensive help on diving outfield catches by Polson and center fielder Marissa Jauregui.

UC Davis takes a brief pause from Big West play with a visit to Saint Mary's on Friday. Game times are 1 and 3 p.m. from Cottrell Field.
 

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ABOUT UC DAVIS:
With the addition of equestrian and women's beach volleyball in 2018, more than 700 student-athletes represent the fifth-ranked public school in the nation on one of 25 intercollegiate athletics teams.

UC Davis, a national leader in Title IX gender equity and leadership, is centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley; and offers an unrivaled student-athlete experience that features the ideal combination of elite academics, Division I athletics and personal growth.

Ranked annually in the top 10 in diversity and students' social mobility, UC Davis is uncommonly committed to preparing student-athletes for life after graduation with Aggie EVO — an innovative student-athlete outcomes program that helps young women and men develop passions, gain real-world experience, and enjoy a successful launch to full-time employment or graduate school. Through Aggie EVO, Intercollegiate Athletics provides unmatched resources and a vast network of working professionals to ensure post-graduation success for its student-athletes.