DAVIS, Calif. — The 2024 season began with a mixed result for UC Davis baseball, as they split the opening double-header on Friday. The Aggies suffered a narrow, one-run defeat in the first game, losing 7-6. However, the Aggies recovered strongly in the second game, dominating their opponents with a 13-4 rout characterized by timely-hitting and utilizing small-ball.
GAME 1 | Seattle U 7, UC Davis 6
UC Davis baseball let a one-run lead slip away in the seventh inning and lost 7-6 to Seattle U in the first game of the season on Friday. The Aggies gave up two runs in the bottom of the seventh and could not rally back late.
Senior
Kaden Hogan was impressive out of the bullpen, pitching 1.2 scoreless innings with no hits, no walks and four strikeouts as he continues to build his resume on the mound. Hogan's performance showed flashes of his potential to eventually settle in as the Aggies closer this season.
The Aggies had some bright spots on offense as well with junior
Nick Leehey ringing in the 2024 season with the first-round tripper of the season for UC Davis after blasting a solo home run in the fourth inning. Newcomers
Ethan Felix and
Tyler Howard also stood out in the first game of the day, each going 3-4 in their debuts as Aggies. Among Felix's three hits was a double in the bottom of the sixth which eventually led to him scoring. Howard picked up his first career RBI in the bottom of the fourth as he utilized the opposite side of the field lacing a single to the right side.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Aggies trailed 1-0 before scoring their first run in the second inning with Felix crossing the plate to tie the game for UC Davis after an error by Seattle U. The Redhawks regained the lead with a run in the third inning, but the Aggies answered with a four-run burst in the fourth inning. The UC Davis offense was sparked by a two-run single from senior
Damian Stone, which gave the Aggies a 5-2 lead. Seattle U fought back to level the score at five in the fifth inning, before UC Davis edged ahead again with a run in the sixth inning. The Aggies could not preserve the lead, as Seattle U scored twice in the final three innings to seal the 7-6 victory.
GAME NOTES
» The Aggies got three-hit games from both Felix and Howard.
» Aggies pitchers combined to strike out 12 Seattle U hitters.
» UC Davis' highest scoring inning was the fourth, when it pushed four runs across.
» Seattle U was led offensively by senior Derek Gellos, who went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI.
» Junior Jarek Woodward led the Redhawks pitching staff, throwing 1.2 shutout innings as he picked up the save to close the door on the Aggies.
GAME 2 | UC Davis 13, Seattle U 4
The Aggies showcased their balanced offense and pitching depth as they routed the Seattle U Redhawks 13-4 in the back half of Friday's double-header. UC Davis (1-1) had all nine starters reach base at least once, and came alive late to pile up 13 runs on 17 hits, with seven of those runs coming in the eighth inning.
The Aggies were able to have success in game two with smart and aggressive baseball, using bunts, steals, and hit-and-runs to put pressure on the Redhawks' defense and create scoring opportunities. Their timely hitting was evident as they went 9-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
On the mound, sophomore
Zach Romero (1-0) earned the win with a brief relief appearance, in the fifth inning. Freshman
Tyler Wood was impressive in his collegiate debut, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings and striking out three. The Aggies' bullpen combined to shutout the Redhawks in the final six frames.
Junior
Riley Acosta led the offensive charge for UC Davis, going 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI. He also scored three runs and drew two walks. As he made his firs-career start behind the dish for the Aggies. Sophomore
Leighton Helfrick also had himself a day, collecting three hits and two RBI, while freshman
Tyler Howard continued to dazzle, as he added two hits and two RBI of his own. The Aggies had five players with multi-hit games, and three players with multi-RBI games.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 4-0, the Aggies first put runs on the board in the fifth inning. UC Davis plated two runs off of Seattle U pitching, one of which was driven in on a run-scoring double off the bat of junior
Jason Hanson that found its way down the left field line.
The Aggies kept the Redhawks off the board before taking the lead in the sixth. The UC Davis offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Helfrick, which brought the Aggies lead to 6-4.
UC Davis held Seattle U scoreless before building their lead to 13-4 in the eighth inning. The Aggies bats heated up in the inning, scoring seven runs, including a two-run single off the bat of senior
Jack Gallagher. After the scoring eruption,
Andrew LaCour would come in to close to deal, striking out three Seattle U batters.
GAME NOTES
» UC Davis got three-hit games from three different hitters.
» Every UC Davis starter reached base safely in the win.
» UC Davis' highest scoring inning was the eighth, when it pushed seven runs across.
» Five Aggies had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Aggies had a total of 17 hits.
» The Aggies out-hit the Redhawks at a 17-9 clip.
» UC Davis went 9-for-14 (.643) with runners in scoring position.
» UC Davis pitchers limited Seattle U to just 2-for-15 (.133) with runners in scoring position.
» Acosta led the Aggies at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
» Seattle U was led by senior Cole Kleckner, who went 4-for-4 with two doubles.
UP NEXT
The series decider is set to take place Sunday, February 18th at 10:00 a.m. (PT). Coverage of that game should be available through live stats on
ucdavisaggies.com.
