The Aggies looked like they were heading for yet another defeat. They were down 7-3 heading into the top of the 6th. UC Davis has not fared well with its back against the wall this season. However, the batting order woke up and delivered some much needed runs to gain the lead. Once the sixth inning was over, the score stood at 9-7 in the Aggies’ favor.
The relief pitching also managed to pitch four shutout innings to finish off the game against a Nevada team that scored all seven of their runs in the first five innings.
The Aggies’ rally started when junior shortstop Adam Young singled to third base. This was followed by a single to left field by sophomore right fielder John Williams. The Wolfpack pitchers then proceeded to load the bases and walk a run home with two consecutive walks. Eventually, with the bases loaded, junior Steven Patterson hit a two-RBI single which opened the floodgates.
The awful Nevada relief pitching allowed an enormous sixth inning rally as six runs were scored allowing the Aggies to pull in front, 9-7. From there the UC Davis pitching staff had sufficient run support to close the game out. The duo of freshman relief pitchers Spencer Henderson and Max Cordy pitched four shutout innings to ice the game for the Aggies, giving up only four hits between the two of them. Cordy ended up with his fifth save of the season as he pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth innings.
UC Davis now improves its record to 12-22 on the season, while dropping the Wolfpack’s record to 16-18. The Aggies now enter a three game series with UC Riverside. UC Davis hopes to jumpstart its conference record of 0-9 against the Highlanders.
KENNETH LING can be reached at sports@theaggie.org
