DAVIS, Calif. – After securing another series win this past weekend, UC Davis baseball travels to Saint Mary's for Tuesday midweek contest with the Gaels.

HOW TO WATCH/FOLLOW
UC Davis vs. Saint Mary's | Louis Guisto Field | Moraga, Calif.

Tues., March 3 | 2:00 PM | at Saint Mary's | ESPN+ | Live Stats
 

THE RUNDOWN

• UC Davis currently holds a 5-6 overall record after catching fire and winning back-to-back weekend series against Santa Clara and Nevada.
• Evan Gentil has been an absolute machine at the plate, leading the Big West Conference with an average of 1.40 RBIs per game. He has 14 total RBIs on the year and is slugging a massive .727 through 11 games.
• Out of the bullpen, the Aggies have been lockdown late in games. Rowen Barnes has emerged as a reliable closer, remaining perfect with a 0.00 ERA over 6.2 innings and leading the Big West with three saves.
• Keenan Anzai has been a strikeout artist, leading the conference and ranking 19th nationally with a staggering 17.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
• As a team, UC Davis is showing great plate discipline and gap power, ranking third in the Big West in both walks drawn (53) and doubles (19).
• This season marks the program's final year in the Big West before a scheduled transition to the Mountain West Conference in 2026-27.

BACK-TO-BACK SERIES WINS
After a challenging opening weekend against No. 3 Texas, the Aggies have bounced back in a big way, claiming their last two weekend series against Santa Clara and Nevada. Against Nevada, UC Davis showed resilience all weekend. After a dramatic 10th-inning walk-off home run by Zach Story to win the series opener 5-4, the Aggies erased a five-run first-inning deficit on Saturday to clinch the series with a 7-5 victory. This followed a gritty series win at Santa Clara the weekend prior, highlighted by a 13-8 offensive explosion in the Sunday finale.

OFFENSIVE STAPLES: GENTIL & HOWARD
Evan Gentil and Tyler Howard have become the engine of the Aggie offense. Gentil has been the primary run producer, tying for the team lead in hits (11) while pacing the squad in home runs (3). His 14 RBIs rank third in the Big West, and his 1.40 RBIs per game pace the entire conference. Meanwhile, Howard is the ultimate table-setter at the top of the lineup. Howard leads the team with 12 runs scored and has reached base at an elite .458 clip, ranking third in the Big West with 10 walks to consistently spark rallies for the middle of the order.

ELITE ON THE HILL: ANZAI & VALDEZ
The Aggies have received incredible production from the pitching staff early in the season. Keenan Anzai has been one of the most efficient pitchers in the entire country. He leads the Big West in walks allowed per nine innings (0.82) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (17.00)—ranking 19th nationally in the latter. He also ranks second in the conference with 13.91 strikeouts per nine innings. Meanwhile, senior right-hander Noel Valdez returns as the anchor of the starting rotation. Valdez has lived up to his "bulldog" reputation, eating a team-high 15.0 innings while posting a solid 3.60 ERA.

LATE-INNING LOCKDOWN
The back end of the UC Davis bullpen has been a massive bright spot through the first 11 games. In addition to Barnes leading the Big West and ranking 61st nationally with three saves, Taylor Werth has tossed 7.1 scoreless frames across five appearances. Jack Pezzolo (0.00 ERA with 6 Ks in 4.0 innings) and Peter Storjohann (1-0, 3.52 ERA, 10 Ks) have also provided head coach Tommy Nicholson with a variety of high-leverage weapons to secure tight victories and extinguish opposing rallies.

SERIES WIN OVER THE BRONCOS
UC Davis secured its first series win of 2026 by taking two of three from Santa Clara over the weekend. After dropping the Friday opener 5-2 despite a solid five-inning start from Noel Valdez, the Aggies bounced back with a gritty 6-4 win on Saturday fueled by home runs from Jaxon Murphy and Ryan Lee. The Aggies saved their best offensive performance for the finale, exploding for 13 runs in a 13-8 victory on Sunday. Tyler Howard anchored the attack, going 2-for-3 with four RBIs and a home run, while Houston Hirschkorn and Zach Story also left the yard. Keenan Anzai provided 4.0 vital innings of relief to earn his second win of the season, while Rowen Barnes closed it out with 2.0 innings of hitless work to close the door.

SAN FRANCISCO SHUTDOWN
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 last Wednesday afternoon at Benedetti Diamond. 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.

SEASON OPENER RECAP
UC Davis faced No. 3 Texas in a three-game set at Disch-Falk Field to begin 2026. While the Longhorns swept the series, the Aggies showed flashes of their potential, particularly in a gritty Saturday contest. Freshman left-hander Jack Pezzolo proved the moment wasn't too big for him, dazzling in his collegiate debut with 4.0 scoreless innings and six strikeouts against a potent Texas lineup. Offensively, veteran Ryan Lee was a steadying force, finishing the weekend 4-for-8. The Aggies struck first in two of the three games, but late-inning rallies by the Longhorns ultimately decided the outcomes.

SENTIMENTAL RETURN TO AUSTIN
The 2026 season opener represented the first-ever meeting between UC Davis and the Texas Longhorns, but for head coach Tommy Nicholson, the trip to Austin was a profound homecoming. Nicholson was a two-time team MVP for Texas and a key architect of their run to the 2000 College World Series. He later launched his coaching career at his alma mater, serving as an assistant and recruiting coordinator. 

ELITE ON THE HILL
The Aggies return a significant portion of a pitching staff that held opponents to a .275 batting average and recorded four shutouts last season. Noel Valdez anchors the rotation after winning a team-best 7 games in 2025 with a 3.72 ERA. Known for his "bulldog" mentality, Valdez led the Big West in victories for much of the season and showcased elite command with a 3.25 strikeout-to-walk ratio. In the bullpen, the Aggies feature Mason Lerma, a Second Team All-Big West selection who led the conference with 28 appearances and posted a microscopic 1.01 ERA.

DEFENSIVE CHOPS
Defense remains the non-negotiable standard for Aggie baseball, a unit that ranked 2nd in the Big West and 17th nationally in fielding percentage last season. This defense helped the pitching staff tremendously, as the team turned 43 double plays and posted a national ranking of 67th in double plays per game. Returners like Tyler Howard (1.000 fielding pct), Joey Wright, and Ryan Lee (24 double plays turned) are the core of this identity as the team introduces new talent into the infield for the 2026 campaign.

OFFENSIVE STAPLES
The Aggie lineup will lean heavily on the veteran presence of Braydon Wooldridge and Tyler Howard to fill the void left by departures like Nick Leehey, who led the 2025 team in average, home runs, and RBIs. Wooldridge returns as one of the most disciplined hitters in the NCAA, ranking 25th nationally last season as one of the toughest players to strike out, fanning just once every 12.5 at-bats. He led the team in hits (54) and doubles (11) in 2025. Meanwhile, Tyler Howard provides the speed and momentum at the top of the order, after leading the club in runs (28), triples (3), and stolen bases (8) last year.

THE BULLDOG: NOEL VALDEZ
Senior right-hander Noel Valdez returns as the anchor of the staff after leading the Aggies and ranking 4th in the Big West with 7 victories last season. Valdez's "bulldog" mentality and efficient four-pitch mix allowed him to post a 3.72 ERA and a 3.25 strikeout-to-walk ratio, ensuring the Aggies were competitive in every one of his 14 starts.

BRAYDON DOES IT ALL
Senior Braydon Wooldridge enters 2026 as one of the most disciplined and dangerous players in the nation. An Honorable Mention All-Big West utility player, Wooldridge ranked 25th in the NCAA last season in the "Toughest to Strike Out" category, fanning just once every 12.5 at-bats. He led the Aggies in several offensive categories, including hits (54) and doubles (11), and secured a spot in the record books by tying the program's single-game record with 8 RBIs in a performance against Utah Valley. Wooldridge is equally effective on the mound, where he held opposing batters to a team-best .133 average and posted a 0.87 WHIP last spring.

HOWARD'S POWER/SPEED BLEND
Outfielder Tyler Howard is the spark plug for the Aggie offense. He finished the 2025 season with a 12-game hitting streak and looks to carry that into the 2026 season at the top of the lineup. Last year, Howard led the team in runs scored (28), triples (3), walks (27), and stolen bases (8), finishing with a team-high .403 on-base percentage. Coach Nicholson describes Howard as having the best power-speed blend on the roster, and his defensive contributions are equally elite. Howard finished the 2025 season with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, handling 109 chances without a single error. Howard should slide to center field for most innings this year, after spending the prior two seasons in right field.

THE LERMANATOR
Following one of the most dominant relief seasons in program history, Mason Lerma is projected again be a focal point. Lerma, a Second Team All-Big West selection, led the Aggies with 28 appearances and posted a microscopic 1.01 ERA last year. He was nearly unhittable in conference play, allowing just one earned run in 21 innings while holding Big West opponents to a .197 average. Lerma has a fastball sits in the high 80s, but it comes down to Lerma's high baseball IQ, pitchability, and refined command that earned him a national ranking as the No. 49 reliever in the country last spring. Ahead of the 2026 season, Lerma was also recognized on the NCBWA Preseason Stopper of the Year Watch List.

VETERAN VERSATILITY: RYAN LEE
Ryan Lee returns as the team's ultimate "lead-by-example" veteran, having played numerous positions throughout his career in Davis. Lee hit .277 with 41 hits and 19 RBIs last season while providing a steady glove at multiple infield spots. He is expected to anchor the third base position this spring, bringing a veteran presence to an infield that saw significant turnover. Lee's clutch hitting was on full display in 2025, as he tied for the team lead with five multi-RBI games, including a five-RBI performance against Utah Valley. Lee notably is also a known photographer within the UC Davis Athletics Department, often seen on the sidelines at all Aggie sports capturing content.

BARNES TIMES TWO
Sophomore right-hander Matthew Barnes II is poised for a breakout season after showing flashes of elite stuff as a freshman. Barnes has hit 96 mph on the radar gun this fall and is coming off a debut season where he held opposing batters to a .234 average. He recorded 42 strikeouts in just 37 innings of work last year, showcasing a high-ceiling arm that Coach Nicholson expects to be a key component. He is joined by another Barnes on the Aggie staff (no relation), Rowen Barnes, who remains a vital piece of the late-inning action after recording two saves and a 3.18 ERA last season, seemingly cleaning up each and every high-leverage situation the Aggies were in during the 2025 season.

WATCH OUT FOR THEM AGGIES
The Aggies proved they could compete with the elite last season by shocking then-No. 13 UC Irvine with a massive six-run rally in the eighth inning. This victory secured a third consecutive season where Nicholson's program has defeated a nationally ranked opponent. The prior wins included an 8-run comeback in the ninth against UC Irvine again who was ranked No. 19 and in 2023, the Aggies took down No. 19 ranked UCLA, 6-3.

FILLING THE VOID
The 2026 Aggies must navigate the departure of several program staples who defined the team's identity over the last several years. The loss of ace Bryan Green is significant, as he led the Big West and ranked 15th nationally with a 2.55 ERA while pacing the team in starts and strikeouts. Offensively, the team loses triple-crown leader Nick Leehey, who paced the squad in average (.290), home runs (5), and RBIs (27). Also departing are middle-infield staple Alex Gouveia, who led the team with 95 assists, and center fielder Mark Wolbert, who appeared in 51 games and was notably a freshman All-American during the 2022 season. Behind the plate, the team replaces workhorse Riley Acosta, who started 35 games and recorded 258 putouts.

NEW AGGIES
Despite a high level of offseason attrition, Coach Nicholson believes the 2026 squad boasts more depth than his recent teams. The roster features 10 newcomers, highlighted by high-profile recruits like freshman infielder Elijah McNeal, a 20th-round pick by the San Francisco Giants who is expected to start at shortstop immediately. He is joined by fellow Area Code Games participant Kyle Pettersen, an athletic catcher/outfielder with gap-to-gap power, and wildly athletic freshman Kai Mault.

FROM DAVIS TO THE WORLD SERIES
The success of the UC Davis baseball program was on full display this past year as former Aggie star David Popkins served as the hitting coach for the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series. Popkins, a two-time All-Big West selection who once recorded a program-record six hits in a single game, led a dramatic turnaround for the Toronto offense in his first season. Under his guidance, the Blue Jays ranked among the top five in MLB in runs scored and OPS, a rapid rise that serves as a point of pride for the current Aggie roster.

CORI ROCKET DOG
The Aggies have their very own "bat dog" in Cori, an adorable Labrador retriever who has become the most popular Aggie on the team. Now in her fourth year with Baseball, Cori is responsible for retrieving bats during games and also serves as the tee-retriever for the UC Davis football team. She was adopted by veterinarian and professor Lisa Ann Tell, who proposed the idea to Coach Nicholson to help raise team morale. Pitcher Noel Valdez noted that having a support animal in the dugout makes the players feel like kids again, and UC Davis is believed to be the only college team in the country with a dedicated bat-retrieving dog.

HOME SWEET HOME
UC Davis enters its second season of night baseball at Phil Swimley Field at Dobbins Stadium following a $2.1 million lighting upgrade completed in 2024. The LED system debuted in 2025, ending 38 years of daytime-only play and bringing the facility up to NCAA competition standards while limiting light spill. The addition has improved scheduling flexibility for student-athletes and driven increased attendance, including a record Friday crowd for the Gonzaga opener. Head coach Tommy Nicholson credited Athletic Director Rocko DeLuca for pushing the project forward, while players point to the lights as a symbol of the program's momentum. Along with a new videoboard and field upgrades, the enhancements position UC Davis for its move to the Mountain West.
 

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ABOUT UC DAVIS ATHLETICS
UC Davis, the No. 2 ranked public university by the Wall Street Journal, is home to 40,000 undergraduate students and 12,000 employees. Ranked No. 1 in Agriculture and Forestry as well as No. 1 in Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis is located in a true California college town nestled between world-class destinations such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe. Over 650 Aggie student-athletes compete in 25 Division I varsity sports, with 16 sports transitioning to the Mountain West Conference beginning in 2026–27.