Score: UC Davis 7, Nevada 5
Location: Davis, Calif. (Dobbins Stadium)
Records: UC Davis 5-5, Nevada 3-5

THE SHORT STORY: Trailing by five runs before even stepping to the plate, UC Davis immediately answered back offensively and shut down the Nevada offense the rest of the way to secure a 7-5 victory on Saturday night at Dobbins Stadium. Evan Gentil sparked the comeback with a three-run home run in the first inning, and a lockdown performance from the Aggie pitching staff—which combined for 14 strikeouts—slammed the door on the Wolf Pack.

LEADING OFF

• Evan Gentil powered the offense, driving in a game-high four runs, highlighted by three-run home run in the first inning. Gentil also drew a bases-loaded walk in the second, and finished the night going 1-for-4.
• Jaxon Murphy delivered the go-ahead run for the Aggies, roping a two-run double in the second inning to complete the comeback and give UC Davis the lead for good.
• Braydon Wooldridge provided an important insurance run with an RBI single in the third inning.
• Keenan Anzai settled the game down on the mound, striking out eight batters over 4.0 innings of work.
• The UC Davis bullpen was untouchable. Tyler Wood (2.1 IP, 4 Ks), Taylor Werth (1.2 IP, 1 K), and Rowen Barnes (1.0 IP, 1 K) combined to throw five scoreless innings of relief. Barnes earned the save by pitching a flawless ninth inning, picking up his third save of the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Nevada jumped on the Aggies early in the top of the first inning, using a pair of walks, a fielder's choice, an error, and a two-run double to storm out to a 5-0 lead.
• UC Davis instantly answered in the bottom half of the first. With two runners aboard, Gentil blasted a towering three-run home run to left field, slicing the deficit to 5-3.
• The Aggies' offensive pressure continued in the second inning. Gentil again stepped to the plate, this time with the bases loaded and drew a walk to force in a run, making it 5-4.
• In the very next at-bat, Murphy ripped a two-run double to right-center field, scoring Tyler Howard and Wooldridge to cap the furious rally and give UC Davis a 6-5 advantage.
• Wooldridge extended the Aggies' lead in the third inning, lining an RBI single up the middle to bring home Ryan Lee and make it 7-5.
• From the second inning on, the pitching staff completely took over. Anzai, Wood, Werth, and Barnes kept the Wolf Pack off the scoreboard for the final eight frames, racking up 14 total strikeouts to seal the comeback victory.

UP NEXT
UC Davis will look to secure the sweep in the series finale on Sunday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Phil Swimley Field at Dobbins Stadium.