April 29, 2007

Box Score

IRVINE, Calif. - UC Irvine scored in each of the first six innings on Sunday, including nine runs in the sixth to break open a three-run game, as it captured a 16-7 win over UC Davis at Anteater Ballpark on Sunday to win the nonconference series between the future Big West Conference rivals, two games to one.

UC Davis fell to 15-25 with the loss while UC Irvine improved to 31-12-1. Matt Dempsey had a solo home run in the Aggies' 10-hit attack, picking up a pair of hits along with right-fielder Aaron Hanke and designated hitter Kevin James. Matt Morris had three hits, including a triple, and knocked in three runs to lead the Anteaters, who had 15 hits overall. Four other players had two hits apiece.

UC Irvine scored two runs in both the first and fifth innings on Sunday, sandwiched around single runs in the second through fourth innings, as it led 7-4 going into the bottom of the sixth. The Anteaters then rallied for nine runs on five hits in the sixth to take a 16-4 lead, also capitalzing on two errors, a hit batter and a balk. Morris had all three of his RBI's in the frame, bunting in the first and then collecting a two-run single to right later in the inning as UC Irvine sent 14 batters to the plate. Ollie Linton's RBI single and a sacrifice fly accounted for two more runs in the big inning.

UC Davis stayed close with UC Irvine early on, scoring a pair of runs in the second inning to tie the contest at 2-2. Hanke doubled to left-center, scoring later on Jacob Jefferies' groundout to second, while James singled in Evan Hudson with the other.

The Aggies took a 4-3 lead in their next at-bat after Dempsey led off with a home run to left field, his third of the year. Brandon Oliver followed in the next at-bat with a triple down the left-field line before later scoring on a 4-6-3 double-play.

Hanke's single to right scored Justin Schafer while Hudson doubled to left-center to plate Daniel Descalso as the Aggies added two runs in the eighth. Michael Hernandez had a sacrifice fly to left in the ninth to score UC Davis' final run.

Starter Jeff Reekers (4-5) allowed eight hits and five runs before being relieved by Paul Gonzales in the fourth. The Aggies used six pitchers in the game, including four in the sixth inning. Eric Pettis (2-0) went six innings, allowing five hits and four runs to earn the win for the Anteaters.

Taylor Holiday, Cody Cipriano, Ben Orloff and Sean Madigan each had two hits for UC Irvine. Madigan had two RBI's while Bryan Petersen had three.

The Aggies will play a 5 p.m. game at Nevada on Tuesday before hosting Cal State Northridge for a three-game weekend series at Dobbins Stadium beginning on Friday.