Davis, Calif. — Senior Day at Dobbins Stadium saw the UC Davis Baseball Team celebrate the careers and contributions of James Williams III, Nathan Peng, and Nate Freeman.
With his final career game in front of the Davis faithful, Williams made the most of it by racking up three hits, in the Aggies 9-2 loss to UC Irvine Sunday.
Freeman (2-7) got the start in his final game at Dobbins Stadium and the Benicia product would go 3.0 innings, allowing two earned runs, as he did the best to limit the damage created by some pivotal errors. Along with only allowing two earned runs, Freeman's day was highlighted by two strikeouts, one of them included fanning the presumptive Big West Player of the Year in UC Irvine's Anthony Martinez.
Nathan Peng also would make an impact in his last game at Davis, facing nine batters in his 1.2 innings pitched, allowing just one run, while also recording two strikeouts, just like Freeman.
In addition to his three hits, Williams had the lone RBI to lead the Aggies, capping off his career at home with a lasting impression that will have Davis baseball fans appreciating everything he did in a UC Davis jersey.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 4-0, the Aggies first put runs on the board in the fourth inning. UC Davis got an RBI single from Williams, scoring junior Jack Gallagher from third base.
The Aggies kept the deficit at 4-1 before closing the gap further in the fifth. UC Davis pushed across a run when Damian Stone laced a one-out RBI double to left center, scoring Joey Wright who would advance to home after an error by the Irvine left fielder, which tightened the Anteaters lead to 4-2. The Aggies had some chances throughout the rest of the game as marked by their 10 men left on base, but were unable to get any closer, as UC Irvine pulled away late by rallying in five runs on their way to a 9-2 final.
SENIOR SENDOFF
James Williams III from Huntington Beach was the first senior to be commemorated this afternoon. A catcher in his second year with the Aggies after transferring from Santa Ana College, James has been a leader since his arrival. Known for his bat as displayed by his three hit day, Williams has been a steady presence in the middle of the Aggie order. Earlier this season, James held a 13 game reached base streak which ranks second among all Aggie teammates. James is also a human development major who is filed to graduate in the spring.
Nate Freeman followed and was accompanied by his parents, girlfriend, and grandma prior to his start on the hill. A vital leader to the clubhouse, he has filled every role in the pitching rotation during his days as an Aggie. A two-time Big West Conference All-Academic team representative, Freeman has now racked up 168 innings pitched over four seasons. Throwing a career-high seven innings twice in his time at Davis, none might have been bigger than Freeman's scoreless appearance against LMU in 2020 which paved the way for UC Davis' miraculous 24 inning win against the Lions. This season Nate also broke his single game strikeout record with eight in the 2023 season opener. A Mechanical Engineering major, Nate is set to graduate this spring.
Nathan Peng rounded out the senior class for UC Davis Baseball and was honored for his efforts prior to his 1.2 innings pitched today. Also a Mechanical Engineering major and set to graduate this Spring, Nathan arrived at UC Davis as a do-it-all two way player. Slashing a .254 batting average in 2022 with three doubles and one home run, Nathan transitioned to a full-time pitcher this year where he has excelled, becoming one of the most reliable pitchers on the team. Tasked with getting the Aggies out of high leverage situations, the two-time Big West Conference All-Academic Team representative is putting up career bests in multiple pitching categories, while concurrently breaking his season best number for appearances in a single season on the mound.
GAME NOTES
» Williams led the Aggies, compiling three base knocks in the ballgame.
» UC Davis left 10 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» UC Davis pitchers faced 51 UC Irvine hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and 13 fly balls while striking out eight.
» Williams led the Aggies at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an RBI.
» UC Irvine was led offensively by junior Jo Oyama, who went 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI.
» Senior Andre Antone led the Anteaters pitching staff, throwing three scoreless innings and earning the victory.
UP NEXT
The Aggies will conclude the 2023 season on the road at Long Beach State for a weekend series that will run from Thursday, May 25, through Saturday, May 27. Looking to end the season on a high note, the Aggies will use the concluding series to build momentum into their 2024 efforts before officially saying goodbye to the senior class of Williams, Peng, and Freeman.
