Davis, Calif. — On a warm Sunday afternoon, the Aggies bounced back in a big way with a 20 run-barrage to split the series with Utah Valley, taking down the Wolverines, 20-4.
UC Davis was limited to one run in two of the past three games and put together one of the best offensive performances in UC Davis Baseball history. Finishing the day with 18 hits, three home-runs, and four doubles, the UC Davis bats were loud and clear from the get-go.
After Rowen Barnes made his Division 1 debut, garnering two flyouts and a strikeout, the Aggie offense didn't take long to wake up. Posting a nine run first inning, Damian Stone was able to come around the bases twice and score two of the game's first nine runs.
The first inning saw six singles and two doubles, which just completely zapped the Utah Valley team out of the game from the beginning. Giving up a run on a Mark Wolbert single, UVU starter seemed to settle in as he recorded two rather quick outs. One on a sac bunt from Joey Wright, and the other on a Nick Leehey flyout but then was presented with a complete hit parade that saw UC Davis score eight of their nine first inning runs with two outs. McCullough would not be able to finish the inning, getting replaced with the score being, 6-0 and he ultimately would allow eight runs.
With a complete day offensively, UC Davis saw contributions from pretty much every position player. So much so, that five Aggies were able to record multi-hit games on the day. Leading the team in RBI's Wolbert's day was defined by a scoreboard shot in the eighth inning as he would conclude the day with six RBI's. Also joining Wolbert in the home-run department were Jack Gallagher who hit an absolute no-doubter of a grand slam, and Alex Gouveia who continued his amazing start to the year, as he finished the day going 4-5 with a home-run in the eighth inning to give UC Davis their 20th run.
Some other standout performances offensively came at the hands of Damian Stone who was 3-5 out of the leadoff spot and Theo Forshey who seemed to settle in on the final day of the series, going 2-5 with a pair of RBI's.
Not to be lost in the complete hit parade were the pair of true freshman who seem to have a knack for the base paths. Ethan Kang has impressed this weekend pulling off his best Steven Kwan impression as he was able to record another hit and drew a walk to end the game with a 1-3 line. Kang is 3-6 on the season and has a team-high .625 OB% after four games. Joey Wright the other true freshman, flashed the leather defensively, and produced high quality, team at-bats all weekend. Only recording one hit, Wright still was able to record a .500 OB% and produced a pair of sac bunts. In today's game Wright drew three walks and has shown already at a young age, his ability to control the bat.
On the pitching side, Rowen Barnes went for two innings of work, just giving up two hits as he slowly works his way back up to shape. He was limited to just two innings today based on the game plan and as the season goes on, he should be able to keep building up his pitch count.
Backing Barnes up, true freshman Alejandro Huezo dazzled and showed flashes of dominance. Recording eight strikeouts in his debut he showed off exactly why Coach Tommy Nicholson is so excited to have him apart of the team. Huezo went four innings, and would give way to the returner trio of Andrew LaCour, Nathan Peng and Danny Carrion. Carrion was electric in his long-awaited appearance, lighting up the radar, and should be a focal point along with Huezo as guys who can really make an impact and shut down opposing teams this season.
UP NEXT
UC Davis will take a break from action and enjoy the absence of a Tuesday game, as they will instead prepare for Santa Clara this upcoming weekend, hosting a three game series at Dobbins Stadium from Friday, Feb. 24 through Sunday, Feb. 26.
