Davis, Calif. — The UC Davis Baseball Team will take the road yet again, as the Aggies prepare for a three-game set against Pac-12 member, Arizona State. The Aggies enter the weekend coming off a 9-6 loss to Causeway rival Sacramento State and will look to bounce back this weekend behind a starting rotation of Nate Freeman, Bryan Green, and Rowen Barnes.
AGGIE BASEBALL
Earning the first series victory of the year last weekend, the Aggies are just one win away from tying their mark from a season ago. Sitting at 5-5, the Aggies have utilized the newfound depth and balance of their team this year to win games early on. Showing off the ability to win games with their offense as displayed in their 20 run output against Utah Valley, or relying on their pitching as seen in the combined shutout against Santa Clara, the Aggies have used all facets of the game to beat teams. The most underrated aspect of the Aggies to this point has been the vastly improved defense. Ranking first in the Big West and tied for 20th in the nation in doubles plays turned per game, the Aggies have used key defensive plays to get them out of jams that so often times proved to be costly in years past.
GAME INFORMATION
UC DAVIS BASEBALL | GAME 11-13
MARCH 10-12 | PHOENIX MUNICIPAL STADIUM | PHOENIX, ARIZ.
FRIDAY, 6:30 PM | SATURDAY, 6:30 PM | SUNDAY, 12:30 PM
STREAMING: PAC-12 NETWORK
PROBABLE STARTERS
UC Davis RHP Nate Freeman vs. LHP Ross Dunn
UC Davis LHP Bryan Green vs. RHP Khristian Curtis
UC Davis RHP Rowen Barnes vs. RHP Jonah Giblin
ABOUT THE SUN DEVILS
The Sun Devils are led by second year head coach, Willie Bloomquist. In his second year at the helm, Bloomquist has compiled a record of 32-39 and rolls out a Sun Devil team that is known for their ability to tack on runs. Averaging over a home run per game and 92nd in the country in slugging percentage, the Sun Devils are a team capable of producing runs when needed. Ranking that high in some offensive categories while riding a five game losing streak shows just how dangerous Arizona State can be. Just like the Aggies, the Sun Devils are a team that has shown they are capable of playing steady defense in key situations as they have turned the ninth most double plays in the country up to this point.
The Sun Devils are led by a trio of hitters who sport a batting average over .300. This includes true freshman standout Luke Hill, senior Wyatt Crenshaw, and the team's RBI leader Jacob Tobias. On the pitching side of things, the Sun Devils have seen six different guys start with Brock Peery registering the most appearances out of the pen with eight. To date, opponents are hitting .273 off of Sun Devil pitchers.
UP NEXT
After the weekend with Arizona State, the Aggies will turnaround with a Tuesday clash against Santa Clara as a final tune-up before the first weekend of Big West play when CSUN visits UC Davis from Mar. 17-19.
