PUERTO VALLARTA, Mex. -- After falling behind 4-0 in the first inning, UC Davis clawed within one run after rallying for three runs in the sixth, but No. 25 Auburn held off the comeback with its 6-3 victory in the first game of the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.

Auburn needed just two big swings of the bat, both from California native Amelia Lech, to produce the offense it needed to grab the win. Lech smacked two home runs for a total of six RBI in a stellar showing at the plate from the Tigers' All-Region first baseman.

Anna Dethlefson's two extra base hits were the highlight of a 2-for-4 day, including a double and a triple. Libbie McMahan furnished a noteworthy performance at the plate as well, going 1-for-4 with an RBI. Leah Polson also helped out in her multi-hit performance, collecting two hits and scoring a run.

Kenedi Brown was tagged with the loss after surrendering eight hits and six earned runs in her 5.1 innings of work. She handed the ball over to Sarah Reineman to get two outs in the sixth and the senior got it done without allowing a hit.

It was memorable day for Kayla Macias who received her first career start.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The nationally-ranked Tigers flexed their muscles in the bottom of the first inning with a two-out grand slam to build an early 4-0 lead. Brown nearly maneuvered her way out of the jam, but Lech battled to a 2-2 count before smashing a ball over the center field wall.
 
After both offenses went silent for the next four frames, the Aggies pushed three runs across in the top of the sixth. Dethlefson smacked a triple in the right-center gap before McMahan promptly drove her home with a single up the middle. Polson kept the line moving by blooping a base hit to left field and Starks cut the lead in half by slapping a hit through the right side, scoring McMahan. In a first-and-third situation, Starks was caught in a rundown between first and second base, but the senior's heads-up base running allowed Polson to score from third to make it a one-run ballgame (4-3).
 

 
The Tigers immediately answered when Lech blasted her second home run of the game – a two-run shot – to extend her team's lead to 6-3.
 
Dethlefson doubled with two outs in the sixth in the attempt to spark one last rally for Davis' team, but the comeback bid fell just short when she was stranded at second base.

GAME NOTES
» UC Davis' power output was led by Dethlefson, who had two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» UC Davis' highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed three runs across.
» The Aggies out-hit the Tigers at a 9-8 clip.
» UC Davis went 3-for-7 (.429) with runners in scoring position.
» UC Davis pitchers limited Auburn to just 1-for-5 (.200) with runners in scoring position.
» UC Davis pitchers faced 28 Auburn hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and six fly balls while striking out three.
» Dethlefson led the Aggies at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and a triple.
» Auburn was led offensively by junior Amelia Lech, who went 2-for-3 with two home runs and six RBI.
» Senior Shelby Lowe led the Tigers pitching staff, throwing five innings of two-run ball.

UP NEXT
The Ags take on two more SEC opponents in tomorrow's twin bill, facing off against Mississippi State and #21 South Carolina. First pitch for game one is slated for 8 a.m. (PST) with game two expected to start 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first contest.
 
TICKET INFORMATION
Single-game tickets and Flexbooks are now available for purchase. Fans can head over to ucdavisaggies.com/tickets, email aggietickets@ucdavis.edu, or call (530) 752-2471 for more information.

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