Headline: Baseball Preview
Teams: UC Davis at California
Records: Aggies, 2-1; Golden Bears, 3-0
Where: Evans Diamond – Berkeley, Calif.
When: Today at 1:30 p.m.
Who to watch: David Popkins has come out of nowhere.
After recording just two hits in 18 at-bats a season ago, the sophomore who hails from San Diego, Calif. started at designated hitter twice in the opening series against Utah. In those two games he went 4-6 with a homerun and three RBI.
Did you know? Pac-10 Conference member Cal, opened its season last weekend against Southern Utah.
The Golden Bears outscored the Thunderbirds 46-0 during the three-game series.
Preview: The Aggies have their work cut out for them in today’s game against the Golden Bears.
While Cal is not picked to finish atop the Pac-10 conference, the team has talent, especially at the plate.
“Traditionally they’re really offensively minded,” said coach Rex Peters, “so they’ll swing the bats pretty well, especially in their park. It will be a good test for our pitching staff.”
That pitching staff was lights-out against Utah allowing just five earned runs in three games over the weekend.
“All of our guys did a pretty good job commanding the strike zone,” Peters said. “That’s something we struggled with last year but our experience from last season paid off now. I’m happy with the way we’re pitching.”
The pitching performances were highlighted by a complete game from sophomore Dayne Quist as he struck out seven and walked just one while allowing only two hits.
“I always think that they’re not going to be able to hit me,” Quist said. “Winning the first game and doing my best to help the team win is all I wanted to do.”
In order to continue that success and defeat an opponent as talented as the Golden Bears, the Aggies will need to again rely on pitching, defense and opportunistic offense.
“Cal is a good Pac-10 opponent,” Peters said. “We just have to throw strikes, play defense and hopefully get some timely hits. It will be a good test for us.”
– Mark Ling
