Score: UC Davis 4, Saint Mary's 1
Location: Davis, Calif. (Dobbins Stadium)
Records: UC Davis 12-17, Saint Mary's 17-14
THE SHORT STORY: Elijah McNeal broke the game open with a three-hit, three-RBI performance, highlighted by a two-run homer in the eighth, as UC Davis topped Saint Mary's 4-1 on Monday night at Dobbins Stadium. The Aggies trailed 1-0 going into the bottom of the sixth before stringing together a four-run rally across the final three frames. A combined pitching effort held the Gaels to just one run on 10 hits, with Braydon Wooldridge earning the win in relief and Rowen Barnes locking down his sixth save of the season.
LEADING OFF
- Elijah McNeal led the charge, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs, including an RBI single in the sixth to tie the game, and a two-run homer to left field in the eighth to provide the cushion.
- Korey Williams reached base three times, going 2-for-3 with a walk and scoring two runs.
- Braydon Wooldridge picked up the win (1-1), tossing 3.0 scoreless innings of relief while allowing three hits and striking out one. Wooldridge also contributed at the plate with a single and a stolen base to ignite the seventh-inning rally.
- Rowen Barnes slammed the door in the ninth, recording a strikeout for all three outs to earn his sixth save of the season.
- Grayson Bonanno provided a strong start for the Aggies, working 3.0 innings and allowing just one earned run on five hits with two strikeouts. Mason Lerma bridged the gap between Wooldridge and Barnes with 2.0 scoreless innings.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Saint Mary's struck first in the top of the third, recording three straight singles through the right side to give the Gaels a 1-0 lead.
- UC Davis responded in the bottom of the sixth. Wooldridge singled to center and stole second, Williams singled to shortstop to move Wooldridge to third, and McNeal delivered an RBI single to center field to tie the game at 1-1.
- Everet Johnson drew a walk to load the bases before Zach Story, pinch-hitting, drew a bases-loaded walk to give the Aggies a 2-1 lead.
- The Aggies added insurance in the eighth when Williams walked and McNeal launched a two-run homer to left field to extend the lead to 4-1.
- Barnes finished things off by striking out three Gaels to secure the save and hold onto the 4-1 win.
UP NEXT
Before UC Davis returns to Big West play this weekend, hosting Cal State Bakersfield for a three-game series from April 10-12 at Dobbins Stadium, the Aggies will visit Nevada for another midweek tilt on Tuesday, April 7 at Peccole Park.
