Score:Â UC Davis 3, Utah Valley 0
Winning Pitcher:Â
Caroline Grimes (1-0)
Losing Pitcher:Â Cam Davis (0-1)
Save:Â
Ashley Sawai (1)
Location:Â Davis, Calif. (La Rue Field)
Records: UC Davis 1-0, Utah Valley 0-2
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The short story: Scoreless innings from
Caroline Grimes and
Ashley Sawai, combined with big days are the plate and on the base path for
Marley Panziera and
Alyssa Dethlefson led UC Davis softball to a season opening win over Utah Valley on Friday afternoon.
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LEADING OFF
- Grimes got the start, going 4.1 scoreless frames, striking out three and walking no batters
- Sawai finished the game off to snag the save, going 2.2 innings of scoreless pitching, striking out two and giving up just two hits
- Dethlefson had herself a collegiate debut, going 3-for-3 on the day, stealing a pair of bases along the way
- Panziera added a pair of hits, going 2-for-3 with one stolen base
- Grace Kilday smacked a triple and Kayla Macias added a double for the Aggie power on the day
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Grimes came out of the gate and set the tone for the Aggies, facing more than three batters in an inning just once over the opening three frames
- In the bottom of the fourth, the Aggie bats came to life and it got started with an Olivia McFarland single through the right side
- Vanessa Calvillo pinch ran and after reaching second on a wild pitch, she was brought home by Kilday's triple to right center to open the scoring at 1-0
- The Aggies extended their lead when Sydney Polli hit a sacrifice fly to center to plate Kilday, making it 2-0 after four innings
- In the top of the fifth, the Aggie defense made its impact to keep Utah Valley off the board
- With runners on second and third, Utah Valley was in position to score some runs and get back in the game, but on an attempted sacrifice bunt the Kilday made a big play by fielding the bunt cleanly and getting the out at home
- In the next at-bat, the ball got past Kilday but her quick feet allowed for her to cleanly field yet another ball and with Sawai covering home Kilday made a perfect toss to her battery mate for the final out of the frame to keep it at 2-0
- The Aggies added to their lead with one more in the next frame when Dethlefson scored on a Gia Felice sacrifice fly to left field
- Over the next two innings, Sawai locked up her first save of the season and the Aggies season opening win with a pair of scoreless innings to give UC Davis the 3-0 win
UP NEXT FOR THE AGGIES: UC Davis remains at home when they play San Jose State tomorrow, Feb. 8 at 2:30 p.m. The Aggies then wrap up the weekend with a pair of games on Sunday, Feb. 9 when they face off with Boise State and Saint Mary's.
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