Feb. 4, 2006

Box Score

DAVIS, Calif. - Senior catcher Tyler LaTorre's 10th-inning RBI single scored shortstop Brandon Oliver from second base to lead UC Davis to a 3-2 win over Sacramento State in a non-conference collegiate baseball game at Dobbins Stadium Saturday afternoon.

The game was the season opener for both teams.

LaTorre and Oliver combined for the first and last runs of the game. Oliver reached on a hit by pitch in the first inning, advanced to third on a Lukas Kirby base hit, then scored on LaTorre's single to left. In the 10th and final inning, Oliver reached on a fielding error by Hornet second baseman Gary Johnson then advanced to second on Kirby's ground out. LaTorre sent a line drive into right field, and Sacramento State right fielder Montana Dye charged and threw toward home plate. However, his throw was up the third-base line and Oliver crossed the plate with little threat of a tag.

Michael Potter started the game for UC Davis, retiring the first eight batters of the game. He gave up his only run in the fourth inning, on a solo shot by Johnson to lead off the frame. Vince DeCoito, normally a starter, delivered four innings of middle relief, allowing just one run.

The Aggies had a chance to retake the lead in the bottom half of the fourth, loading the bases on a double by Aaron Hanke, a fielder's choice and a hit batter. Hornet lefthander John Schlager entered in relief of starter Travis Kane, and struck out Ryan Royster with the bases loaded, ending the potential UC Davis threat.

"Typically, the pitchers are ahead of the hitters early in the season, until the hitters get some at-bats. So I'm not surprised it was a pitcher's duel and a low-scoring game," said Aggie head coach Rex Peters. "We pitched well and, for the most part, played good defense. That's what we have to do to give ourselves a chance to compete."

The Hornets also had a scoring threat foiled late in the game, this time by the defense of Aggie second baseman Michael Jacobellis. After Jim Strombach led off with a double, Buddy Morales attempted to bunt him over to third. He laid a bunt down the first base side that seemed to fall among LaTorre, Kirby and DeCoito. Jacobellis, who had been covering the runner at second, came over to collect LaTorre's throw at first, then fired across the diamond to Evan Hudson to get Strombach off the third base bag.

Dan Baldini put UC Davis up by a run in the bottom of the seventh, matching Johnson's heroics with a leadoff homer to right field. Sacramento State erased the Aggie lead in the top of the eighth when left fielder Kevin James attempted to make a shoestring catch on Johnson's short liner. Johnson reached second on a double, then scored two batters later on a sacrifice fly.

Hornet lefthander Matt Campbell enjoyed a strong relief outing despite taking the loss, firing 5.2 innings with four strikeouts and just one earned run.

Hanke batted 3-for-3 with a double for UC Davis, while LaTorre was 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI. Sacramento State was led offensively by Johnson, who finished 2-for-5 with a double and his fourth-inning solo shot.

Nik Aurora, who pitched the ninth and 10th innings for UC Davis, earned the victory.

UC Davis returns to action on February 7 to host Santa Clara.

Sacramento State (0-1)    000  100  010  0  -  1  7  1
UC Davis (1-0)            100  000  100  1  -  3  8  0

Pitchers: Sacramento State - Travis Kane; John Schlager(4); Matt Campbell(5). UC Davis - Michael Potter; Vince DeCoito(5); Nik Aurora(9). WP - Aurora, 1-0. LP - Campbell, 0-1. Sv - none. T - 3:00. A - 482.

Hitters: Sacramento State - Gary Johnson 2x5, 2B, HR, RBI; Ronnie Machado 1x5, David Flores 1x3, Jim Strombach 1x3, 2B, Montana Dye 1x3, Everet Rincon 1x3. UC Davis - Brandon Oliver 1x4, Lukas Kirby 1x5, Tyler LaTorre 2x5, 2 RBI; Aaron Hanke 3x3, 2B; Dan Baldini 1x4, HR, RBI.