Score: Texas 6, UC Davis 4
Location: Austin, Texas (Disch-Falk Field)
Records: UC Davis 0-2, Texas 2-0

THE SHORT STORY: UC Davis jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning and battled back to make it a two-run game late, but No. 3 Texas used a four-run fifth inning to seize control and held on for a 6-4 victory on Saturday at Disch-Falk Field. The Aggies received a stellar collegiate debut from starter Jack Pezzolo, who tossed four scoreless innings, but the Longhorns rallied in the middle innings to secure the series win.

LEADING OFF

• Jack Pezzolo was electric in his first career start, throwing 4.0 shutout innings while allowing just two hits and striking out six.
• Ryan Lee led the offense, going 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored, two walks, and an RBI.
• Evan Gentil recorded a multi-hit game as well, finishing 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
• Joey Wright reached base twice and scored a run.
• Braydon Wooldridge and Tyler Howard set the table at the top of the lineup, each scoring a run.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• UC Davis wasted no time attacking, scoring two runs in the top of the first. Wooldridge was hit by a pitch and Howard walked to set the stage for Lee, who delivered an RBI single off the left field wall to score Wooldridge.
• Moments later, Howard raced home on a sacrifice squeeze by Keenan Anzai, giving the Aggies a 2-0 advantage.
• Pezzolo stifled the Texas offense through the first four frames, keeping the Longhorns off the scoreboard with six strikeouts.
• Texas broke through in the fifth inning, exploding for four runs. A two-run homer by Ethan Mendoza tied the game, and the Longhorns added two more on a sacrifice fly and a double steal to take a 4-2 lead.
• The hosts added two insurance runs in the sixth inning to extend their cushion to 6-2.
• The Aggies refused to go quietly, mounting a rally in the eighth. After Lee and Wright reached base, Gentil came through with a RBI single to shortstop. A throwing error on the play allowed a second run to score, cutting the deficit to 6-4.
• UC Davis threatened again in the ninth but could not complete the comeback, as Texas closed the door to seal the win.

UP NEXT
The Aggies look to salvage the series finale against No. 3 Texas on Sunday, Feb. 15. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. CT at Disch-Falk Field.