Teams: UC Davis vs. Cal State Northridge
Records: Aggies, 9-25 (3-8); Matadors, 18-22 (1-8)
Where: Dobbins Stadium
When: Friday at 2:30 p.m.; Saturday at 1 p.m.; Sunday at 1 p.m.
Who to watch: Senior Justin Andrade was one bright spot for the Aggies Tuesday against the Spartans.
The second baseman out of Hollister, Calif. went 2-for-3 at the plate, reaching base three times on a single, a double and a walk.
Last season in UC Davis’ big 16-0 victory over Cal State Northridge, Andrade was walked three times with an RBI single.
Did you know? Three different Aggies – David Popkins, Eric Johnson and Scott Lyman – have each hit two home runs this season, adding to the team’s 10 homers on the year.
Preview: The Aggies have begun a five-game home stand – their longest stretch of home games all season.
Tuesday, UC Davis took on all-familiar San Jose State for the fifth time this year.
It was the first time in the 2010-11 campaign, however, that the Aggies hosted the Spartans at Dobbins Stadium.
A couple Aggie first-inning defensive errors, along with a solid Spartan offense, proved unstoppable as San Jose State exploded for a 13-1 win.
In the top of the first, the Spartans’ leadoff batter was hit by a pitch. Two outs later, the San Jose State rally began.
A double, single and a home run, along with the UC Davis miscues, helped the Spartans plate five before the Aggies had a chance to hit.
Despite a rocky start, freshman pitcher Harry Stanwyck held the Spartans scoreless through the next three and two-thirds innings before being relieved by senior Scott Chew.
After that, it became a battle between the Spartan bats and the Aggie bullpen. San Jose State faced four other UC Davis pitchers through the rest of the game, as junior Nate Slater was the only Aggie reliever to slow down the Spartan offense.
Despite a tough loss for the Aggies, the Spartans will be back next Wednesday for yet another meeting.
Meanwhile, UC Davis will host Big West Conference opponent Cal State Northridge in a three-game series beginning Friday afternoon.
The Matadors currently stand in last place in the league, dropping five out of six of their most recent Big West games.
The Aggies will look to capitalize against a struggling opponent this weekend, as they head into the final month of the season and the second half of conference play.
– Grace Sprague
