Los Angeles, Calif. — UC Davis went toe-to-toe with the No. 19 UCLA Bruins Friday night but fell by a score of 3-2 at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
Getting the night started with two runs in the top half of the first, the Aggies used a pair of doubles from Alex Gouveia and Nick Leehey to take the early lead. After recording two quick outs, the Aggies proceeded to get a double from Gouveia, a single from James Williams III that would bring home Gouveia after a Bruin throwing error, and then Leehey would cap off the inning with a double to left field and send Williams III home. With the early barrage of Aggie offense, the stout UCLA pitching staff would scrap its way back into the ball game and limit Aggie hitters to just three more hits over the course of the game to finish with six.
Sophomore Bryan Green started the ballgame for UC Davis (11-18) and went 4.2 innings, surrendering just two runs, both earned, on four hits, walking one and striking out one. Building upon his strong start in La Jolla, the southpaw from Nevada was tasked with a tough UCLA lineup and the Bruins picked up both of their runs off of him by way of the long-ball. Following up Green was Danny Carrion and Kaden Riccomini who held the fort down for the Aggies, with Ricommini going the last inning without allowing a run, while Carrion pitched 2.1 innings in relief, for Green and only allowed one run with two strikeouts. The pitchers today held the Bruin hitters in check in every threatening situation as the Bruins were 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
Leehey led the way offensively for the Aggies, going 2-for-4 in the ballgame with his first inning double and an RBI. Gouveia added onto his Big West leading double count and finished the night at the plate going 2-for-4. Junior Damian Stone was the other Aggie to record a hit on the night as he would end up going 1-for-4 with a double. Running into one of the best pitching staffs in the country who make opposing teams earn every run, the Bruins excelled tonight at keeping the leadoff hitter off the base-paths, and not allowing any free bases, as Joey Wright was the only Aggie to record a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Aggies got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. UC Davis pushed across two runs in the frame, the big blow coming on an RBI double from Leehey. The Aggies were unable to hold the lead, as UCLA scored three times over the remaining eight innings to grab the 3-2 win.
GAME NOTES
» UC Davis' highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed two runs across.
» UC Davis went 2-for-4 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
» UC Davis pitchers limited UCLA to just 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
» UC Davis pitchers faced 33 UCLA hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out three.
» Leehey led the Aggies at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
» UCLA was led offensively by freshman Jarrod Hocking, who went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and an RBI.
» Junior Jake Brooks led the Bruins pitching staff, throwing six innings of two-run ball.
