This weekend, junior David Popkins gave a little oomph to save UC Davis from a three-game sweep at the hands of UC Santa Barbara.
The Aggies fell 11-0 Friday afternoon, picking up just four hits as Gaucho Greg Davis governed the mound through nine innings of work.
Saturday’s contest was characterized by a duel on the mound. Unfortunately for the Aggies, the Gauchos prevailed, taking game two 1-0.
UC Santa Barbara’s Matt Vedo threw a no-hitter through seven innings, walking just two batters and striking out three.
While the Aggies struggled at the dish, the Gauchos found offense hard to come by as well. Anthony Kupbens pitched a complete game for UC Davis, surrendering just one run on seven hits and recording seven strikeouts.
It took just a single score in the top of the second frame to propel the Gauchos past the Aggies.
Game three was a different story.
While UC Santa Barbara took a 4-0 advantage in the top of the third, Sunday’s action starred UC Davis’ Popkins.
Popkins went 3-for-4 at the plate, beginning with a solo home run over the left field wall in the fifth frame to chip away at a 4-0 Gaucho advantage.
A big eighth inning was all the Aggies needed to close in, as the UC Davis bats struck for four runs on five hits to give the Aggies a one-run lead.
That rally included a Popkins single to right center, which scored Corbin Cutshaw and Scott Heylman to top off the 5-4 win.
Freshman Harry Stanwyck started for the Aggies on the mound, surrendering four hits and striking out five in two and two-thirds innings of work.
UC Davis is next in action Tuesday in Moraga, Calif. when it travels to Saint Mary’s. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
– Grace Sprague
