Score: UC Davis 5, UC Santa Barbara 4
Location: Davis, Calif. (Dobbins Stadium)
Records: UC Davis 8-9 (2-2), UC Santa Barbara 14-3 (4-1)
THE SHORT STORY: The UC Davis baseball team sent shockwaves through the college baseball landscape on Saturday night, securing a thrilling 5-4 walk-off victory over UC Santa Barbara to even the weekend series at Dobbins Stadium. Elijah McNeal delivered the decisive blow in the bottom of the ninth, snapping the Gauchos' 13-game winning streak and taking down a squad that entered the night ranked No. 2 nationally in RPI.
LEADING OFF
- Korey Williams put together the best game of his Aggie career, pacing the UC Davis offense with a 4-for-5 performance that included three RBIs, a double, and two runs scored—including the game-winner.
- Elijah McNeal played the role of hero, lacing the walk-off RBI double into left field in the bottom of the ninth. In addition to having the walk-off winner, McNeal notably finished the night with two total hits, as part of a 2-for-5 day at the plate.
- Rowen Barnes picked up the win in relief (1-0), tossing 2.1 scoreless, shut-down innings while allowing just one hit and striking out three to keep the game tied late.
- Along with Barnes, starter Keenan Anzai and Mason Lerma were monumental in the Aggie win. Anzai threw 5.0 innings, with three strikeouts, allowing just three runs to a potent Gaucho lineup. Lerma immediately relieved Anzai and went 2.1 innings, allowing just one run with three strikeouts. The Aggie staff collectively combined for nine strikeouts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Aggies struck first in the opening frame, taking a quick 2-0 lead on back-to-back RBI doubles from Williams and Ethan Felix.
- UC Santa Barbara chipped away at the deficit, hitting a solo home run in the third and tying the game at 2-2 with an RBI single in the fourth.
- The Gauchos took a brief 3-2 lead on a fielder's choice in the top of the fifth, but Williams immediately responded for the Aggies in the bottom half of the inning with an RBI single to bring home Tyler Howard and tie the game at 3-3.
- Williams continued his massive night in the sixth, ripping another RBI single through the right side to score Kai Mault and give UC Davis a 4-3 advantage.
- UC Santa Barbara tied the game at 4-4 in the top of the seventh on an RBI single by Colin Beazizo. The Gauchos threatened to take the lead with two men on base, but Ryan Lee came up massive defensively, executing a spectacular diving play at second base to record the third out and extinguish the threat.
- After a scoreless eighth, Rowen Barnes worked out of a two-on jam in the top of the ninth with back-to-back clutch strikeouts, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
- In the bottom of the ninth, Williams sparked the rally by leading off with a single. He then advanced to scoring position after a sacrifice bunt from pinch hitter Joey Wright. Elijah McNeal stepped up with two outs after the Gauchos intentionally walked Braydon Wooldridge, and McNeal would make them pay for it, ripping a walk-off double deep into left field, sending Williams across the plate to seal the 5-4 victory.
UP NEXT
UC Davis will look to ride the momentum and clinch a series victory in the rubber match against UC Santa Barbara on Sunday at Dobbins Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
