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PULLMAN, Wash. – Sophomore designated hitter Kyle Mihaylo had a career game that included four extra-base hits and a game-high five RBI’s, and UC Davis used a five-run first inning to defeat Washington State, 12-5, in a nonconference baseball game at Bailey-Brayton Field Friday night.
UC Davis has won 13 of its last 14 games and five straight to improve its record to 19-8 overall. The Cougars, who were ranked nationally two weeks ago, have lost their last four games and are now 16-11. It marked the Aggies’ second straight win over Washington State and third in four meetings dating back to last season.
Mihaylo finished a perfect 4-for-4 from the plate with two doubles, a triple a home run and the game-high five RBI’s. He was just a single shy of the cycle. He also scored a game-best three runs to complete the best offensive game of his career. Senior Matt Dempsey went 4-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI. Overall, the Aggies had seven extra-base hits.
Eddie Gamboa improved his record to a perfect 5-0 as he pitched 6.2 innings and allowed only three runs off eight hits with four strikeouts. Marco Grifantini did not allow an earned run in the final 2.1 innings.
UC Davis scored five runs in the first inning and never led by fewer than six runs the rest of the game. Ryan Royster doubled to lead off the game. Ty Kelly was hit by a pitch and Jake Jefferies singled to load the bases. Evan Hudson drove in the first run off a sacrifice fly to left field. After Ryan Scoma walked to load the bases again, Mihaylo cleared the bags with a triple. He was driven home by Kevin James to cap the big inning.
After four scoreless innings, Mihaylo doubled to start the sixth and scored another run off an RBI-single from Dempsey to put the Aggies ahead, 6-0. UC Davis added three more runs in the seventh to run their lead up to 9-0. Jefferies opened the inning with a solo homer down the left field line. After a triple from Scoma, Mihaylo hit a home run to drive in two more runs.
Washington State got on the board in the bottom of the seventh inning off three RBI-singles. The Aggies capitalized on a Cougar error in the eighth the score two unearned runs. The Cougars got two more runs in the eighth inning.
UC Davis would score another run in the ninth off an RBI from Royster. A scoreless ninth gave UC Davis the victory.
Jefferies and Scoma each finished with two hits and two runs scored. Royster also scored twice in the game.
Garry Kuykendall led the Cougars with two hits and two RBI’s. Cougar starter Ross Humes gave up six earned runs off nine hits in his first loss of the season.
The series resumes tomorrow with a doubleheader. The first game is set to begin at 2 p.m. with the second game to follow shortly after.
