May 9, 2009

Final Stats

DAVIS, Calif. - The UC Davis softball team closed out its season Saturday in a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Cal State Northridge at La Rue Field. The afternoon also featured Senior Day as Jessica Hancock, Belinda Paine and Julie Stauder were all honored following the game. On the field, the Matadors scored all five of their runs in the first three innings and fought off a seventh-inning threat by the Aggies.

CSUN (29-21, 9-12 Big West) started quickly with a pair of runs in the first inning. The Matadors took advantage of a walk, two stolen bases and two run-scoring singles to take an early 2-0 lead. The Matadors added two unearned runs in the second inning for a 4-0 lead.

Sarah Axelson led off the UC Davis second with a double and advanced to third after a pair of groundouts. With two outs, Hancock reached on an infield single to drive in Axelson and pull UC Davis (22-32, 6-15 Big West) within 4-1.

CSUN added another unearned run in the third to regain its four-run cushion. In the fifth, the Aggies staged a two-out rally when Paine singled to keep the inning alive. The senior promptly stole second and came home on a double by Alex Holmes. That pulled the Aggies within 5-2.

It stayed that way into the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Stauder was hit by a pitch. Paine followed with a single to put runners at first and second. With two outs, an infield single by Kelly Harman loaded the bases before Axelson flied out to end the game.

Hancock pitched her 14th complete game of the year and surrendered just two earned runs. She allowed five hits with two strikeouts.

UC Davis outhit Cal State Northridge, 8-5. Paine and Harman each collected two hits. Bianca Castillo also figured in the hitting with a double in the sixth.

"It was an intense day. The seniors gave everything, and I'm so proud of them," said UC Davis head coach Karen Yoder. "The foundation that they've created, and the years that they've given to the program are just priceless."

The trio combined for over 600 games played while wearing an Aggie uniform. Hancock moved into third-place in UC Davis history with 676 career strikeouts. Her 397 strikeouts over the past two years are the most in the Big West. Paine finished as the all-time Aggie leader in stolen bases (54) and at bats (666) while ranking eighth in hits (196). Stauder ended her career tied for the all-time UC Davis record with 91 walks, and she also led the team in batting as a junior.