Score: UC Davis 8, Cal State Bakersfield 2
Winning Pitcher: Noel Valdez (5-3)
Losing Pitcher: Shane McAlinden (1-5)
Location: Bakersfield, Calif.
Records: UC Davis 19-19 (8-10), Cal State Bakersfield 15-26 (7-11)
 
The short story: UC Davis capped off a decisive series sweep of Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday, securing an 8-2 win behind a relentless offensive attack and a combined 16-strikeout effort from its pitching staff.
 
FIRST PITCH

• Matt Barnes II set the tone with 3.0 scoreless innings and four strikeouts before giving way to Noel Valdez (six strikeouts) and Mason Lerma (five strikeouts), who combined to help lead the Aggies
• Valdez went 3.1 innings, giving up just two runs on three hits and walking two
• Lerma's five strikeouts came in addition to his two-shutout innings of work, where he allowed only two hits without surrendering a walk
• Rowen Barnes also added a strikeout to the Aggie pitching staff tally
• In the batter's box, the Aggies were led by a balanced attack that included Houston Hirschkorn at the forefront, who went 1-for-5 with a double, a walk and two RBI
• Mark Wolbert compiled a standout day at the plate as well, going 1-for-3 with three walks and an RBI
• Braydon Wooldridge continued the theme of the weekend for UC Davis, representing yet another Aggie to record a three-hit game, going 3-for-6
• Every UC Davis starter reached base safely in the win
• UC Davis pitchers combined to strike out 16 Cal State Bakersfield hitters, the most in a game this season by the staff
• UC Davis' biggest inning came in the eighth, plating four runs
• The Aggies out-hit the Roadrunners at a 10-6 clip
• UC Davis pitchers limited Cal State Bakersfield to just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position

HOW IT HAPPENED

• UC Davis struck in the first inning when Lee lined an RBI single to left field, scoring Mark Wolbert after he drew a walk
• The Aggies doubled their lead in the second as Wolbert knocked a two-out RBI single to plate catcher Evan Gentil, who singled and advanced on a sacrifice bunt
• UC Davis pushed to 3-0 in the third when Hirschkorn ripped an RBI double down the left-field line, driving in Tyler Howard after his single
• Bakersfield answered in the fifth with Ethan Bennett crushing a two-run homer to right field
• The Aggies regained momentum in the seventh when Jason Hanson scored on a throwing error by Cal State Bakersfield's pitcher after reaching base with a single
• UC Davis broke it open in the eighth, scoring four unearned runs largely due to strong plate discipline all day, where the Aggies drew 11 free passes
• Lerma sealed the win and the sweep in the ninth, striking out a pair of batters

UP NEXT: UC Davis will head back to The Farm on Monday, April 21 to take on the Stanford Cardinal. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. as the Aggies look to avenge their 4-0 loss earlier on April 7.
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