Event: UC Davis vs. Nevada; vs. Utah Valley
Records: Aggies, 5-9; Wolf Pack, 3-12; Wolverines, 1-7
Where: La Rue Field
When: Wednesday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; Saturday at noon and 2 p.m.; Sunday at 12 p.m.
Who to watch: Though senior Jessica Gonzalez’s batting average (.400) and slugging percentage (.467) maybe be inflated due to a small number of at bats (15), it can’t be denied that the infielder from Cameron Park, Calif. has a knack for getting on base.
This season, Gonzalez’s on base percentage (.591) is the highest among UC Davis players with more than 14 at bats, and she has only struck out once.
Interestingly, in 2010, Gonzalez led the Big West Conference in most times hit by a pitch (22) and was sixth in on-base percentage.
Did you know? The Aggies have exactly one month before beginning conference play against Cal State Northridge on April 2.
Preview: With one month to go before the start of Big West action, it’s time the Aggies find their identity.
They haven’t quite had the offensive production they had last season, nor have they kept opponents from scoring quite like they did in their Big West championship year.
“We have some veterans trying to work out some kinks,” said coach Karen Yoder. “They’re not producing as much as last year. It’s a matter of getting the rust off. We also are pretty young in some spots.”
Now, they are on the wrong end of a five-game skid.
But things aren’t all bad.
This weekend, the Aggies will play Nevada and Utah Valley, two other teams desperate for a win.
It was looking good for the Wolf Pack after a surprise 5-1 upset over No. 18 Nebraska, but then they lost three straight. One was a heartbreaking, extra innings loss against Syracuse and a 10-0 blowout against Utah.
Utah Valley is limping around, too. If Wolverine Amanda Perez didn’t drive in four runs in their contest against Bryant University, they would still be looking for their first win.
Also, the Wolverines haven’t held opponents under six runs all season, and against an Aggie team that hasn’t scored more than four, something has to give.
– Matt Wang
