Score: UC Davis 1, Gonzaga 6
Winning Pitcher: Payton Graham (1-0)
Save: Michael Cunneely (1)
Losing Pitcher: Bryan Green (0-1)
Location: Davis, Calif.
Records: UC Davis 0-1, Gonzaga 1-0
The short story: It was a historic and chilly night at Phil Swimley Field as UC Davis hosted its first-ever home night game in program history. Despite the energy of the home crowd, the Aggies couldn't secure the result they wanted, falling to Gonzaga 6-1 in the season opener.
FIRST PITCH
- Joey Wright led the Aggie offense going 1-for-2 with a double and a walk
- Riley Acosta collected the first extra-base hit of the night for the Aggies, going 1-for-4 with a double
- Joining Acosta and Wright in the hit department was Ryan Lee who also went 1-for-4 during the game
- UC Davis' lone run tonight came in the 6th inning when Tyler Howard walked, advanced on a groundout, and crossed home on Nick Leehey's RBI groundout
- Preseason Big West All-Conference selection Bryan Green started and took the loss, allowing 3 unearned runs over 4.1 innings (2 hits, 3 walks, 3 strikeouts)
- Freshman Matt Barnes dazzled in his Aggie debut, tossing a scoreless 7th inning with two strikeouts
- With the unfamiliar nighttime conditions possibly playing into effect, Gonzaga made the most of their opportunities and scored four unearned runs on three Aggie errors
- Gonzaga was led by Hudson Shupe and Rece Schuerman, as the pair each were 3-for-5 on the night, while designated hitter Mikey Bell had a team-high two RBIs
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Gonzaga got the game started with an unearned run in the top of the third to make it 1-0
- UC Davis looked to have responded with a fielder's choice to the shortstop to bring in a run, but a questionable runner's interference call negated the play, and allowed for Gonzaga to escape with an inning ending double-play, maintaining their 1-0 advantage, and completely shifting the momentum
- Gonzaga would go on to break open the game with three more unearned runs, highlighted by Mikey Bell's 2-RBI triple to deep right center, beating the out-stretched Howard in right
- The score would stretch all the way to 5-0 in favor of the visitors
- UC Davis would get their lone run with Leehey bringing home Howard on a ground ball to second, while the Zags would add insurance in the ninth to secure the 6-1 win over the Aggies
- For Gonzaga, Payton Graham and Michael Cunneely were the difference makers, combining to allow just three hits, while recording 11 strikeouts to keep the Aggie bats quiet
UP NEXT: UC Davis is back in action tomorrow for game two, with first pitch against Gonzaga scheduled for 2 p.m. PT with
Noel Valdez scheduled to start.
