Score: Cal Poly 12, UC Davis 11
Location: San Luis Obispo, Calif. (Baggett Stadium)
Records: UC Davis 9-10 (4-3 Big West), Cal Poly 13-7 (7-0 Big West)

THE SHORT STORY: UC Davis fell to Cal Poly 12-11 on Saturday afternoon in a heavy-hitting shootout that featured 34 combined hits. The Aggies nearly erased a late six-run deficit with a massive five-run eighth inning fueled by a string of singles and walks, but ultimately came up one run short of completing the comeback.

LEADING OFF

• Both offenses were firing on all cylinders. UC Davis racked up 15 hits as a team, while Cal Poly countered with 19 hits to remain unbeaten in conference play.
• Elijah McNeal paced the Aggie offense, going 3-for-6 with a double, two runs scored, and two RBIs.
• Kai Mault (2-for-4, 3B, 2 RBIs) and Ryan Lee (2-for-3, two 2Bs, 1 RBI) both reached base three times and drove in crucial runs during the late-game rally.
• Braydon Wooldridge also drove in a pair of runs, going 1-for-4 with a walk.
• Pinch-hitter Houston Hirschkorn came off the bench to deliver a perfect 2-for-2 performance, scoring a run and driving in another.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The teams traded the lead back and forth in the early innings. UC Davis went up 3-1 in the third inning on an RBI double by McNeal, a sacrifice fly, and an RBI triple from Mault, but Cal Poly immediately answered with three runs in the bottom half.
• After UC Davis regained a 5-4 lead in the top of the fourth, Cal Poly's offense responded again. The Mustangs scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth and continued to add on, eventually building a commanding 12-6 advantage by the end of the seventh inning.
• Down by six, UC Davis mounted a furious rally in the top of the eighth inning. The Aggies strung together base hits, starting with back-to-back RBI singles from Hirschkorn and McNeal.
• With the bases loaded moments later, the Aggies showed great plate discipline as Mault and Lee drew back-to-back RBI walks. Braydon Wooldridge followed with an RBI groundout, capping a five-run frame that brought UC Davis all the way back to 12-11.
• In the top of the ninth, pinch-runner Jack Castagnola stole second base to put the tying run in scoring position with two outs, but a final strikeout ended the threat and sealed the win for Cal Poly.

UP NEXT
The series continues tomorrow in San Luis Obispo at 1 p.m. Noel Valdez will draw the Sunday start for the Aggies while Cal Poly will trot out Corden Pettey.