DAVIS, Calif. --The UC Davis Aggies fought back from tied 3-3 in the eighth inning to win in thrilling fashion, rallying to earn a 4-3 walk-off victory in the 11th inning over the Sacramento State Hornets Tuesday. The second time these two rivals have faced off this season, the Aggies win today brings the series season to one win a piece.
Kaden Riccomini (1-0) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for UC Davis (11-17) and his pair of outs today were in the highest-leverage situation the junior has seen all season. Entering the top of the 11th inning with bases-loaded and only one out, Riccomini induced two weak infield popouts and gave way to a Causeway walk-off from none other, than Alex Gouveia.
Junior Nate Freeman also made an impact on the mound for the Aggies, starting the ballgame and throwing three scoreless innings while allowing two hits, with no walks and three strikeouts. As a pitching staff the Aggies compiled together a complete effort, allowing just three runs, with two of them being earned. Collectively, the group of Freeman, Trevor Allen, Andrew LaCour, Max Hippensteel, Danny Carrion, Zach Romero, Nathan Peng, and Riccomini epitomized the way for a staff to win a midweek game.
Senior James Williams III led the way offensively for the Aggies, going 2-for-2 in the ballgame with a double, two walks and an RBI. Sophomore Mark Wolbert tapped into his power today as well, going 1-for-5 with a home run and an RBI. Damian Stone continued his magic from the leadoff spot by going 2-for-4 with a walk. Offensively the Aggies were paced by their efforts in the eighth inning with the Wolbert home run, and a sacrifice fly from Nick Leehey that brought home Kaden Hogan from second base.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Aggies got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the bottom the first inning with the game still scoreless. UC Davis plated a run on a based-loaded walk by Williams III.
The Hornets then rallied to score three runs and take a 3-1 lead before the Aggies got back on the board in the eighth. UC Davis picked up two runs, including one on a solo round-tripper off the bat of Wolbert, which evened the score at 3-3.
The game remained tied until the bottom of the eleventh, when UC Davis walked it off when sophomore Riley Acosta came across to score after Gouveia hit a sacrifice fly to left field. A product of manufacturing runs, the Aggies brought across the final run of the game without recording a hit in the bottom of the 11th the even up the Causeway series at 1-1 on the year with the next matchup scheduled for May 9th. Before the Aggies set their eyes on the Causeway finale later in the year, the Aggies will be taking their talents and focus to Westwood and play UCLA for a three game-set against the Bruins. The weekend series will run from Friday, April 14 through, Sunday, April 16.
GAME NOTES
» UC Davis' highest scoring inning was the eighth, when it pushed two runs across.
» UC Davis pitchers limited Sacramento State to just 3-for-16 (.188) with runners in scoring position.
» UC Davis pitchers faced 47 Sacramento State hitters in the game, allowing 16 ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out six.
» The Aggies drew six walks from Sacramento State pitching.
» Williams led the Aggies at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI.
» Sacramento State was led offensively by freshman Jacob Cortez, who went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
» Freshman Benjy Tucker led the Hornets pitching staff, throwing two scoreless innings.
