LONG BEACH, Calif. -- After two extra-innings defeats on Saturday afternoon, UC Davis couldn't avoid the sweep as Long Beach State showed why they were last season's conference champions with a 4-1 win on Sunday.
The Aggies (10-15, 1-5 Big West) mustered just three runs in the series and struggled to find the big hit when they needed it most.
Anna Dethlefson enjoyed a 1-for-3 day while scoring the lone run of the game for Davis' team. The Fair Oaks native racked up another stolen base to make it four steals in the last three games. Leah Polson recorded an RBI base hit in her 2-for-4 day - her sixth multi-hit day of the season - to continue her solid senior campaign.
Sarah Nakahara and Marley Panziera each collected a hit in the series finale.
Kenedi Brown got the ball to start for UC Davis and took the loss after lasting 5.1 innings, allowing four earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams were blanked through the first three frames, excellent pitching continued to be the theme of the series. Kenedi Brown and Long Beach State's Sophia Fernandez matched each other until the fourth when the hosts rallied for a pair of runs to build a 2-0 lead.
UC Davis immediately answered in the top of the fifth when Leah Polson's base hit up the middle scored Dethlefson from third base, cutting the lead in half.
The Beach got that run back in the home half of the inning, making the score 3-1, before plating another run in the sixth to further extend the advantage and chase a fatigued Brown out of the ballgame. Caroline Grimes got the last two outs of the sixth to end the threat.
Despite loading the bases in the seventh, UC Davis was unable to mount a comeback in its final turn at the plate and Long Beach State completed the sweep with its 4-1 victory.
GAME NOTES
» UC Davis' highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed one run across.
» UC Davis pitchers faced 29 Long Beach State hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and six fly balls while striking out three.
» Polson led the Aggies at the plate, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.
» Long Beach State was led offensively by junior Carly Robbins, who went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI.
» Senior Sophia Fernandez led the Beach pitching staff, throwing seven innings of one-run ball.
UP NEXT
The Ags return to La Rue Field on Mar. 29 to begin a three-game series against Cal State Bakersfield. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.
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