Phoenix, Ariz. — Sunday was a quiet day all-around for the Aggies after taking a 17-4 loss in the series finale at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Losing all three outings in Arizona, the Aggies derailed comeback efforts from yesterday's game seemed to carry over to today's game while the host Sun Devils, who rode a five game losing streak prior to meeting the Aggies, had just about everything bouncing their way this weekend.
Producing most of the runs today for UC Davis was freshman Leighton Helfrick who went 1-for-2 with a home run and three RBI. After Joey Wright and Braydon Wooldridge provided most of the runs in yesterday's contest, another Aggie freshman in the fold provided some bright moments in a game that was for the most part, dull.
Sophomore Rowen Barnes (1-1) started for UC Davis and took the loss on a day that was not very friendly to the Aggie pitching staff. After being hurt by their early game walks in Saturday night's game, the Aggies staff this time was hurt by the entire Arizona State lineup. Known for their explosive offense, and a park that seemed to be carrying the ball all day, the Sun Devils came across to score 17 runs on 20 hits, with nine of those hits going for extra bases. Every starter for Arizona State also registered a hit in today's game, showing just how dominant the Sun Devils were in the series closing game.
Wooldridge who started the ballgame at first base, was one of two Aggie pitchers today to produce a shutout inning. Allowing no hits, and striking out one batter in his inning of work, the freshman from Chino Hills also registered a hit in every game of the series and finished today going 1-4 with his lone hit today being a double in the top of the fifth.
Offensively, the Aggies were led by Helfrick, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a home run and three RBI. Junior Jack Gallagher put together a noteworthy effort as well, going 1-for-1 with a home run and an RBI. Junior Alex Gouveia also chipped in for UC Davis, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding a double. Producing 10 hits today as a team, the Aggies weren't completely blanketed in their efforts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 15-0, the Aggies first put runs on the board in the sixth inning, after a three-run homer from Helfrick.
The Aggies deficit expanded to 17-3 before their offense got back on the scoreboard, cutting into that deficit in the eighth inning. UC Davis picked up a run on Gallagher's two-out solo home run off of junior Will Armbruester, which brought the score to 17-4 in favor of the Sun Devils. The Aggies were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame. Digging themselves a huge 15-0 deficit, the Aggies never got back into striking distance as the Sun Devil lineup squashed any hopes UC Davis had in doing the unthinkable.
GAME NOTES
» UC Davis pitchers faced 49 Arizona State hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out four.
» Helfrick led the Aggies at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a home run and three RBI.
» Arizona State was led offensively by freshman Luke Hill, who went 3-for-5 with three doubles and three RBI.
» Junior Jonah Giblin led the Sun Devils pitching staff, throwing five shutout innings.
» Arizona State only allowed one free bag to Aggie hitters today.
