Scott Lyman had four hits and six runs batted in as UC Davis rallied past UCSB in a Big West baseball game on Saturday afternoon at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium, 11-6. It was Lyman’s 3-run home run in the top of the seventh inning that turned a 6-4 Gaucho lead into a 7-6 Aggie advantage and they never looked back.
After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first inning, UCSB (21-28, 7-13) tied the score in the bottom half and then scored a pair in the bottom of the second to take a 3-1 lead for starter Greg Davis. Mark Haddow doubled, stole third and scored the first of the two runs in the inning. Doug Hansen singled home Sean Williams, who had walked, with the second run.
Each team tallied a run in the fourth to make the score 4-2 Gauchos.
The Aggies tied the score at 4-4 in the top half of the fifth. Seth Batty led things off with a single to left. One out later, Batty moved to second on a ground out. After Scott Heylman was hit by a pitch, David Popkins brought Batty home with a single to right. Lyman then singled to left, scoring Heylman.
Doug Hansen, making his first start of the season behind the plate for the Gauchos, opened the bottom of the fifth with his second hit of the game, a booming triple to left center field. Hansen scored on a single by Gunnar Terhune, breaking the 4-4 tie. Terhune was thrown out trying to steal second, but Derek Eligio and Matt Valaika walked and Davis’ starting pitcher, Sean Watson, was relieved by Scott Heinig.
Heinig walked the first batter he faced, Ryan Tregoning, and then Mark Haddow hit a fielder’s choice, scoring Eligio and giving UCSB a 6-4 lead.
Heinig (2-1) allowed just one more base runner in a hitless 3.2 innings, earning the win. In all, Aggie relievers tossed 4.2 innings allowing no hits and a pair of walks.
Davis was solid for the Gauchos as he went six innings and gave up eight hits and four runs. Connor Whalen started the seventh and could get just one out before allowing a pair of singles. He was relieved by Nick Laredo (0-5) who gave up the home run to Lyman on his first pitch.
The Aggies added a run in the eighth and three more in the ninth to put the game away.
Hansen and Haddow each had a pair of hits to lead the Gauchos. Haddow had four stolen bases in the game, one shy of the UCSB record.
UCSB will conclude its series against UC Davis on Sunday starting at 1 p.m.
