Aggies Drop Season Opener Despite Miller's Two-Run Blast

Aggies Drop Season Opener Despite Miller's Two-Run Blast
UC Davis couldn't overcome a five-run third inning from Loyola Marymount

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Chandler Wagner had a RBI double to score the first run of the season for UC Davis

Feb. 10, 2012

Box Score

DAVIS, Calif. - The UC Davis softball team had its home opener spoiled at the Aggie Stampede I, as Loyola Marymount had a five-run third inning and hung on for a 5-3 win on Friday at La Rue Field.

Rachel Miller put the Aggies (0-1) back in the game with a two-run home run in the fourth but the Aggies couldn't manage anymore offense from there. All of the Lion's (1-1) five hits came in the third inning, including a two-RBI single for Samantha Nelson.

Justine Vela had a solid outing in her UC Davis debut, throwing 4.1 innings of relief and holding LMU to one hit and no runs. Molly Medeiros picked up the win for the Lions, throwing a complete game five-hitter and allowing three runs.

"I think we need to sharpen up a few things defensively but hopefully we got the jitters out of the way," said head coach Karen Yoder. "We had an opportunity for some freshman to see their first collegiate innings, so I was excited about that. But I think we need to do a better job at taking advantage of runners in scoring position and fixing those defensive miscues."

After a scoreless first inning, the Aggies avoided some trouble in the top of the second after committing two errors in the inning. Jessica Thweatt started in the circle for the Aggies, throwing two and a third innings.

UC Davis posted an early lead in the bottom of the second, scoring one run on two hits but stranding two on base. Chandler Wagner earned the RBI hit after sending a double to right center, giving the Aggies a 1-0 advantage.

The Lions took advantage of two walks and a passed ball to score a pair of runs in the third, before Nelson's two-RBI hit. Sam Fischer had the only other RBI hit for LMU.

Vela settled in nicely from there, throwing four hitless innings in the remainder of the game. UC Davis was also held hitless after the fourth however, registering one-two-three innings in the fifth and seventh.

Jasmine Lee and Amy Nunez also posted singles for the Aggies in the first two innings, respectively.

"Today was a wake up call for the Aggies but I'm excited that they are not satisfied with the result," continued Yoder. "They're ready to go for tomorrow and they are hungry."

UC Davis will be back in action tomorrow, playing two games at the Aggie Stampede I, facing Loyola Marymount again at 1 p.m. before a meeting with Nevada at 3 p.m.