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 Justin Fitzgerald recorded his second save in as many games and third of the week to lead UC Davis to a series victory on Sunday. (Wayne Tilcock, Davis Enterprise) |
May 4, 2008
DAVIS, Calif. - For the second straight game UC Davis put together a three-run rally in the late innings, this time it was in the eighth, and rode a Justin Fitzgerald save to take a Big West Conference series victory and a 3-2 win over No. 23 Long Beach State at Dobbins Stadium Sunday afternoon.
It marks the Aggies' first-ever series victory over the 49ers and improves them to 9-6 in conference and 29-16 overall. The Dirtbags fall to 27-17 overall and 9-6 against conference opponents. UC Davis scored three runs in the seventh inning yesterday to take that game.
The Aggies were held scoreless until breaking through in the eighth to score three runs and take a 3-2 lead. Evan Hudson and Ty Kelly got back-to-back singles following the first out of the inning, and Jake Jefferies walked on four pitches to load the bases. After a strike out, Kyle Mihaylo cranked a two-run single to left field to tie the game at 2-2. Kevin James then lined a double that bounced over the first baseman's head to drive in the eventual game-winning run.
"We just never packed it in and kept playing. We finally got a big inning in the eighth," said Aggie coach Rex Peters. "To beat an elite club like Long Beach State is a big step for our team and our program because we've never done it before."
Andy Suiter got the Aggies out of a jam in the eighth inning after Danny Espinosa singled and advanced to second to record his fourth victory of the season and third this week. Suiter got the final two outs of the inning to eventually strand Espinosa at third base.
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Justin Fitzgerald added to his school-record save total with his 10th of the season as he got around a leadoff single from pinch hitter Brandon Godfrey in the ninth inning. Fitzgerald had assisted putouts on a sacrifice bunt and a come-backer before striking out power-hitting Jason Corder to end the game. It was Fitzgerald's third save of the week and second of the series.
Mihaylo finished a perfect 3-for-3 from the plate with a double and the two RBI's while Ryan Scoma was 3-for-4. James accounted for the other Aggie RBI and double, and Kelly collected two hits to push his hitting streak to 13 games.
Bryan Shaw, who entered the game with a 0.42 ERA and five saves, gave up the three runs in the eighth inning in his first loss of the season. Dirtbag starter Jake Thompson pitched 6.2 scoreless innings in the no decision.
Aggie starter Bryan Evans also pitched effectively through 6.2 innings as he allowed only two runs off seven hits while striking out a game-high three batters. Jeremy McChesney finished the seventh and recorded the first out of the eighth to set the table for Suiter and Fitzgerald.
The Aggies threatened in the seventh inning with a leadoff single from Scoma and a ground-rule double from MIhaylo, but came away without a run after a double play in which Scoma was called out at third base for not tagging up following a fly ball to center field.
Long Beach State scored single runs in the third and fifth innings. Corder finished with three hits, two doubles and both RBI's. He singled home the run in the third and doubled in another in the fifth.
UC Davis concludes its run of eight straight games against ranked opponents on Tuesday with a 2:30 p.m. game at No. 16 Cal.
