Score: UC Davis 7, UC Riverside 3
Location: Riverside, Calif. (Riverside Sports Complex)
Records: UC Davis 7-8 (2-1 Big West), UC Riverside 4-12 (1-2 Big West)

THE SHORT STORY: UC Davis powered to a decisive 7-3 victory against UC Riverside on Sunday afternoon, fueled by a massive four-run first inning that immediately set the tone for the series finale. The Aggies showcased a balanced, relentless offensive attack with 11 hits, paired with a strong performance on the hill to clinch the weekend series and secure their first Big West Conference series win.

LEADING OFF:

• Mason Lerma was absolutely lights-out in relief, picking up his second win of the season (2-0) by tossing 3.0 hitless, scoreless innings and striking out five Highlanders.
• Jack Pezzolo set the tone as the starter, delivering 2.0 perfect innings with zero hits allowed and three strikeouts.
• Ethan Felix ignited the offense from the top of the lineup, finishing the day 2-for-4 with a walk, and two runs scored.
• Ryan Lee was a tough out all afternoon, going 1-for-3 with a walk, and a hit-by-pitch, while contributing two RBIs.
• Braydon Wooldridge delivered the early crushing blow, driving in two runs with a clutch single in the opening frame.
• Tyler Howard also recorded a multi-hit day, going 2-for-5 with an RBI single, and a triple.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Aggies pounced immediately in the top of the first inning. Ethan Felix, Elijah McNeal, and Zach Story loaded the bases, setting up Ryan Lee to wear a hit-by-pitch and force home the game's first run.
• Houston Hirschkorn kept the line moving with an RBI single to shortstop, and Wooldridge capped the opening surge with a two-run single down the left-field line, giving UC Davis a 4-0 advantage.
• In the top of the second, Felix singled and later scored when Lee drew a bases-loaded walk, extending the Aggies' lead to 5-0.
• UC Riverside trimmed the deficit in the third inning with a pair of runs, but UC Davis answered back in the top of the fifth when Tyler Howard laced an RBI single up the middle to bring home Joey Wright, making it 6-2.
• The Highlanders added one run in the bottom of the fifth, but Lerma entered from the bullpen to completely shut down the UC Riverside offense the rest of the way.
• UC Davis added an insurance run and sealed the deal in the seventh inning when Evan Gentil scored on a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt by McNeal, finalizing the 7-3 victory.

UP NEXT
The Aggies will return home to host UC Santa Barbara in their next Big West series, beginning on Friday, March 13. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Dobbins Stadium.