DAVIS, Calif. (Interstat) — The California Golden Bears used a balanced offensive attack and a dominant pitching performance to defeat the UC Davis Aggies 7-2 in a nonconference baseball game Wednesday afternoon and evening at Dobbins Baseball Complex.

The game, which started in the afternoon and concluded under evening lights, saw the Golden Bears improve to 5-3 on the season while the Aggies fell to 3-5.

California’s pitching staff held UC Davis to just two hits, both coming in a brief fourth-inning rally. The Aggies’ runs came on a two-run homer by Gentil in the bottom of the fourth, which temporarily cut into an early California lead. That homer accounted for the only significant offense for UC Davis, as Aggies batters struck out 12 times and rarely threatened otherwise.

The Golden Bears methodically built their lead, scoring single runs in the second, third and seventh innings before breaking the game open with a three-run ninth. They finished with nine hits, capitalizing on Aggies mistakes and delivering key hits with runners on base.

The most important sequence of the game occurred in the top of the sixth inning, which effectively stifled any momentum UC Davis had gained. After Gentil’s two-run homer in the fourth had cut the California lead to 3-2, the Golden Bears responded immediately. Facing new pitcher Speights, California’s Gannon Snyder led off the sixth with a triple to right field. The next batter, shortstop Jett Kenady, then launched a two-run homer to left field, scoring Snyder and pushing the lead back to three runs. This immediate answer halted the Aggies’ surge and restored a multi-run cushion that the UC Davis offense, stifled all day, could not overcome.

Kenady’s home run was the key blow, finishing with two RBIs. Designated hitter Daniel Murillo and utility player Ethan Kodama each drove in two runs for California. Kodama, who entered the game in center field and later moved to right, went 2-for-3 with a walk, an RBI double in the ninth, and two runs scored. Murillo also had two hits, including an RBI single in the third and another in the ninth.

California starter Roach and relievers Grove, Wright, Kreis, Colombara and Clark combined on the two-hitter. The Golden Bears’ defense turned two double plays.

For UC Davis, starter Bonanno took the loss, allowing three runs, two earned, over three innings. The Aggies used six pitchers in the game.

California entered the game with a 67.5% win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system. The Golden Bears have now won three of their last four games, while UC Davis has lost three of its last four.

California next opens a three-game series with Sacramento State on Friday in Berkeley. UC Davis will begin a three-game home set against Nevada on Friday.