Score: UC Davis 2, San Francisco 1
Location: San Francisco, Calif. (Benedetti Diamond)
Records: UC Davis 1-3, San Francisco 3-1

THE SHORT STORY: Behind a dominant bullpen performance that retired 18 straight batters to end the game, UC Davis rallied for a 2-1 victory over San Francisco on Wednesday afternoon at Benedetti Diamond. Sophomore Evan Gentil fueled the offense with a three-hit day, including two doubles, while the pitching staff combined for a four-hitter to secure the Aggies' first win of the season.

LEADING OFF

• Evan Gentil was perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two doubles and a walk to pace the Aggies.
• Keenan Anzai earned the win in relief, firing 2.0 perfect innings with four strikeouts.
• The Aggie pitching staff was lights out, as Carter Speights, Taylor Werth, Tyler Wood, Mason Lerma, and Rowen Barnes combined to shut down the Dons.
• Getting the start was Eli Solem, who also contributed to the Aggies efforts on the hill, allowing one unearned run.
• Zach Story delivered a clutch RBI double and scored the go-ahead run.
• Tyler Howard drove in the deciding run with an RBI groundout.
• Elijah McNeal scored UC Davis' other run in the ballgame, going 1-for-4 at the plate.
• Rowen Barnes slammed the door in the ninth to earn his first save of the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• San Francisco struck first in the bottom of the opening frame, capitalizing on an error and a wild pitch to take an early 1-0 lead.
• The Aggies' offense broke through in the fifth inning. Elijah McNeal singled to lead off the frame and advanced to second on a wild pitch.
• Zach Story then roped a double down the left-field line to score McNeal and tie the game at 1-1.
• Moments later, Tyler Howard grounded out to third base, bringing Story home to give UC Davis a 2-1 advantage.
• From there, the pitching staff took over. After allowing a single to begin the fourth inning, Aggie pitchers combined to retire the final 18 San Francisco batters in order.
• Keenan Anzai was particularly dominant in the middle innings, striking out four of the six batters he faced.
• The bullpen trio of Wood, Lerma, and Barnes was flawless over the final three frames, combining for five strikeouts to seal the victory.

UP NEXT
UC Davis heads to the South Bay for a three-game series at Santa Clara. The set begins on Friday, Feb. 20, and runs through Sunday, Feb. 22, at Stephen Schott Stadium.