Davis, Calif. — On a day in which the Aggie bats collected 15 hits, the UC Irvine Anteaters played spoiler as they were able to cash in on a pair of Aggie errors and ride behind their highly efficient offense to secure the 10-5 win.
With five Aggie's collecting multi-hit games, the pair of Leighton Helfrick and Alex Gouveia stood out today with their offensive efforts as they each had three hits. Also asserting himself offensively was freshman Joey Wright who put together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding two RBIs.
With the 15 hits standing out on the box score for the Aggies, UC Davis was limited by their lack of extra-base hits and in turn, stalled their ability to churn out runs. Every hit for the Aggies today was a single in comparison to UC Irvine's four extra-base hits. Registering two doubles on the day for the Anteaters, Caden Kendle jump started the offense for the opposition, while Luke Spillane led UC Irvine with a team-high three RBIs.
Bryan Green (5-3) who has been rock solid at giving the Aggies a chance to win every Friday picked up the loss today. The southpaw recorded 3.0 innings pitched, allowing two earned runs. The potent Anteater offense which ranks first in the nation in sacrifice flies, applied pressure on the Aggie staff all day. Doing their best to counter the prolific offense from the Aggie side was Ian Torpey who shined, going one shutout inning without allowing a hit, walking none, and striking out two.
The loss drops the Aggies to 17-32 on the season with two more chances to try and ruin the Anteaters hopes of a NCAA regional bid. Game two of the series will start at Phil Swimley Field at Dobbins Stadium at 1:00 P.M. PT tomorrow.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Aggies were trailing 1-0 in the first inning when they first put runs on the board. Leadoff hitter Damian Stone came across to score the lone run of the inning for UC Davis and get them on the board after an error by the Anteater catcher.
The Anteaters then scored three runs to retake their advantage heading into the fourth inning, when the Aggies responded by getting back on the scoreboard themselves. Jack Gallagher came across to score the lone run of the inning for UC Davis, which tightened the Anteaters lead to 4-2.
UC Irvine built their lead to 10-2 before the UC Davis offense got back to work, reducing that lead to 10-5 in the eighth. The Aggies notched three runs in the frame, two of them coming across on a two-run single off the bat of Wright. The Aggies were unable to get any closer, as UC Irvine held onto the lead behind the power arm of Jacob King.
GAME NOTES
» The Aggies got three-hit games from both Gouveia and Helfrick.
» UC Davis' highest scoring inning was the eighth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Five UC Davis hitters had multiple base knocks in the ballgame.
» UC Davis batters had a total of 15 hits in the game.
» UC Davis left 12 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» The Aggies out-hit the Anteaters at a 15-11 clip.
» UC Davis went 4-for-13 (.308) with runners in scoring position.
» The Aggies got two hits in four at-bats with the bases loaded.
» UC Davis pitchers faced 45 UC Irvine hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and 15 fly balls while striking out five.
» Wright led the Aggies at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBI.
» UC Irvine was led offensively by junior Caden Kendle, who went 3-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI.
» Sophomore Cooper Robinson led the Anteaters pitching staff, throwing two shutout innings.
