DAVIS, Calif. — Junior Noel Valdez delivered a stellar performance on the hill on Sunday, but the UC Davis Aggies fell 2-1 to the UC San Diego Tritons.
The quality outing from Valdez was not enough for UC Davis (11-10, 2-3). The right-hander went six innings, giving up just one run on three hits, allowing one walk and striking out three.
The Aggies defense along with the pitching prowess from the Aggie staff was a highlight of the game as well. The trio of
Joey Wright,
Nick Leehey, and
Alex Gouveia all made diving/sliding plays which on multiple occasions, limited run scoring opportunities for the Tritons. Despite the defenses best efforts to steal hits away from the opposition, the key in today's game was hitting with runners in scoring position, with UC San Diego making the most of their limited chances.
Offensively the Aggies scored their lone run of the game in the first inning, capitalizing on a lead-off triple from
Damian Stone, who eventually crossed home on a ground out from
Mark Wolbert.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Aggies got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the bottom of the first inning. The aforementioned Stone came across to score the lone run of the inning for UC Davis and get them on the board early.
Seemingly carrying momentum from yesterday's win, the Aggie offense would instead be held in check throughout the final eight innings with Matthew Dalquist for UC San Diego throwing a gem opposite of Valdez.
With UC Davis unable to hold the lead, the Tritons themselves would make the Aggies pay in the sixth and the ninth inning, scoring just enough to take the 2-1 victory. Bradlee Preap's double in the top of the ninth for UC San Diego proved to be the deciding factor in the ballgame.
GAME NOTES
» Valdez put together six innings of one-run ball for UC Davis.
» The Aggies out-hit the Tritons at an 8-6 clip.
» UC Davis pitchers faced 33 UCSD hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out five.
» Stone led the Aggies at the plate, going 1-for-4 with a triple.
» UCSD was led offensively by senior Bradlee Preap, who went 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI.
» Freshman Matthew Dalquist led the Tritons pitching staff, throwing 7.1 innings of one-run ball.
