Teams: UC Davis vs. Santa Clara; East Carolina; California
Records: Aggies, (7-12); Broncos, (2-7); Pirates, (8-10); Golden Bears, (16-4)
Where: La Rue Field; Levine-Fricke Field – Berkeley, Calif.
When: Thursday at 1 p.m.; 3 p.m.; Saturday at 12:30 p.m.; Sunday at 1 p.m.; 3 p.m.
Who to watch: Senior outfielder Marissa Araujo [cq] has contributed to the Aggies’ offense this season with 11 hits and three RBI.
The Indio, Calif. native also made three appearances in the circle in last weekend’s tournament.
“Araujo is extremely versatile,” coach Karen Yoder said. “With a limited amount of training last week she kept us competitive and did a good job.”
Did you know? UC Davis leads the Big West Conference with a .276 team batting average and a .351 on base percentage.
The Aggies have posted 131 hits, scored 70 total runs and knocked in 55 RBI.
Preview: After facing some of the nation’s toughest teams in three consecutive weekend road trips, the Aggies come back home for a doubleheader.
“It’s all part of the big picture,” Yoder said after going 1-4 at the DeMarini Invitational this past weekend. “We need to remain mentally tough and remember that this is challenging us at the highest level.
“Defensively and offensively we didn’t capitalize in crucial situations, but the caliber of teams we played definitely challenged us, which will only help us for conference.”
With 12 games left before league play, the Aggies will take on the Broncos in two previously postponed games.
Santa Clara is coming off two wins against Cal State Bakersfield and Cal State Fullerton.
Before that, the Broncos posted seven consecutive losses where their opponents outscored them 46-2.
Last season when the two teams met, UC Davis’ Jessica Hancock pitched a complete-game in a 4-1 victory.
UC Davis scored all of its runs in the bottom of the sixth inning of that game, while posting eight hits to Santa Clara’s four.
Kelly Harman went 2-for-3 with one RBI. Harman, Araujo, Sarah Axelson, and Alex Holmes each scored one run.
– Grace Sprague
