Davis, Calif. — The UC Davis Baseball Team (7-13, 1-5) will look to use their latest victory against LMU as momentum in their upcoming Big West series against the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners. Taking action in a three-game series running from March 31, through April 2, the Aggies will be playing in their first road games since March 12.
SERIES INFORMATION
UC DAVIS BASEBALL AT CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD | GAMES 21-23
MARCH 31-APRIL 2 | HARDT FIELD | BAKERSFIELD, CALIF.
FRIDAY, 6:05 P.M. | ESPN+
SATURDAY, 6:05 P.M. | ESPN+
SUNDAY, 1:05 P.M. | ESPN+
LIVE STATS
AGGIE NOTES
After getting swept this weekend by Cal State Fullerton, the Aggies were able to come back on Monday with a 10-3 win over LMU. Feeling like they had a chance to take two out of the three games against Cal State Fullerton, the Aggies responded by putting together one of their most complete efforts of the season.
Led by Alex Gouveia who put together a 3-for-4 day at the plate, UC Davis scored double-digit runs for just the third time this season against the Lions. Adding to his already elite hitting profile to start the year, Gouveia leads the Aggies in batting average at .321 and has the best strikeout to at-bat ratio in Division 1 baseball. Spearheading the offensive charge with his knack to spray doubles all over the field. Gouveia is currently tied for the Big West lead in doubles hit with Cal State Fullerton's Nate Nankil, and has a team-high 42 total bases with just two strikeouts.
Turning the corner at the right time, Mark Wolbert has seemingly found his stride. After a midseason stretch without recording a hit in four straight games, the reigning Big West Field Freshman of the Year has now got himself a four-game hitting streak, and leads the Aggies in on base percentage.
As a pitching staff, the Aggies have seen their ERA slowly decrease with some newcomers providing some quality innings. Freshman Zach Romero earned his first collegiate victory against LMU on Monday, while sophomore transfer Carter Delaney has had three straight appearances without allowing a run. More of this success will need to transpire this weekend to secure the first series win of conference play for the Aggies.
PROBABLE STARTERS
FRIDAY: UC Davis LHP Bryan Green vs. Cal State Bakersfield RHP Ryan Verdugo
SATURDAY: UC Davis RHP Alejandro Huezo vs. Cal State Bakersfield LHP Matt Comnos
SUNDAY: UC Davis RHP Carter Delaney vs. TBD
ABOUT THE ROADRUNNERS
The Roadrunners are led by Jeremy Beard who is in his seventh season at the helm. The 'Runners have seen contributions from Matthew Kurata who has been on a tear as of late, sporting a .450 batting average. Pitching wise, the 'Runners have been riding behind Matt Comnos all year who has a team-high 29 strikeouts, and a 3.56 season ERA. The Roadrunners have had some steep competition to start the season and are a team that can't be overlooked. Toting a record of 8-5 at home, the Roadrunners seem to always play better in front of their Hardt Field supporters. The last time UC Davis traveled to Bakersfield in 2021, the Aggies split the series 2-2 while last season, the 'Runners took the series 2-1.
YOUNG BUCKS
Entering the season with development on the mind of the staff, the Aggies have had to accelerate that process and utilize some freshman early in the season to play big innings. While Joey Wright was slated to be the everyday shortstop from the jump, the play of Braydon Wooldridge, Ethan Kang, and Leighton Helfrick has found the Aggies shuffling the lineup more than intended to mix and match depending on pitching matchups.
Kang like Wright, is as elite as they come defensively and has the makings of being one of the best outfielders UC Davis has seen in recent years. Slowly working towards playing time, Kang has taken that to the next level and already has been entrusted to man center field on occasion due to his impact and ability to track down balls. Coach Andrew Ayers notes that "Kang is an elite defender," so much so that he believes, "at some point I think he's going to get a Gold Glove in the Big West."
Wooldridge has shown in his time to be one of the toughest outs in the Aggie lineup. Receiving high remarks, the staff is excited for Braydon's future. Coach Nicholson has said, "He's someone that man, I can't wait to see what he looks like a year from now… He takes really good at bats." A complete competitor on the field, Wooldridge has even pitched a couple innings this year and looks to be a building block of the Aggies moving forward.
NEW FACES
The talk of the freshman doesn't diminish or overshadow the impact of some other new faces. At the head of those new faces is Alex Gouveia and Damian Stone who figure to be staples of the Aggie lineup during conference. Stone the speedy leadoff hitter who made his way to Davis after time at UC Santa Barbara and Ohlone, has shown when healthy, he is the engine of the offense. Second among Aggies in average at .316, Stone also is second among his teammates in on base percentage, at .426.
Along with Stone, Gouveia has been as good as advertised. An All-Big 8 infielder a season ago at Modesto College, Gouveia is hitting .321 on the season and leads UC Davis with 26 hits. His offensive production paired with his defense up the middle with Wright has been "awesome" by coach Nicholson's standards.
GREEN MEANS GO
Saturday's have been the most successful days of the year for UC Davis. A lot of that can be contributed to Bryan Green and his ability to mow down hitters. Posting the lowest ERA among qualified pitchers for the Aggies, Green's 3.74 ERA and .98 WHIP have been a welcoming sight to see. Posting a career high 11 strikeouts against Santa Clara, Green has recorded 32 K's on the year which ranks tenth in the conference.
Green has been one of the most consistent Aggies this season at holding the lead and giving his offense a chance to stack together scoring innings. He will operate this weekend as the Friday starter.
KEEP CALM AND CARRION
An electric reliever and team leader, Danny Carrion is building in his first season as a full-time pitcher. Coach Tommy Nicholson ushered that "what we want to be able to do is get the ball in Daniel Carrion's hands with the lead." Running the radar gun up to the mid-90's and sitting consistently in the low-90's, Carrion has proven he can be the stopper UC Davis envisioned him to be when presented the opportunity. UC Davis will rely on him in high leverage situations and look to utilize him more with the Big West schedule.
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Under the leadership of Tommy Nicholson the Aggies have already transformed their defense from a season ago. Currently leading the Big West in fielding percentage, (.978) UC Davis has seen practically a whole new lineup come together and improve a defense that finished in the bottom half of the league a season ago.
