DAVIS, Calif. – The Pacific softball began the 2023 season Friday afternoon and dropped a pair of games, falling to Seattle U, 9-0, and UC Davis, 2-1, at La Rue Field.
Seattle U, 9, Pacific 0 (five innings)
Jordan Hayes recorded her first collegiate hit, a single to first base in the second inning, as the Tigers (0-2) registered four total throughout the contest. Singles from Talissa Montez, Nina Davis, and Reagan Hamilton rounded out the team's offense in the season opener.
Avery Croxall received the nod as the opening game starter and pitched two innings, giving up eight runs on six hits. Scarlett Lloyd and Desiree Smith relieved Croxall and combined for one run on four hits in three innings of work.
The Redhawks (1-0) jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning and poured on five more runs throughout the next two innings to secure the victory.
"We struggled in the circle and didn't have great at-bats until late in the game," Head Coach Brian Kolze said. "We're going to have to clean up some things moving forward.
UC Davis 2, Pacific 1
A strong pitching performance from Amiyah Aponte highlighted the second game of the day, as she earned the start in the circle. Pitching a solid 6.2 innings, Aponte allowed only one earned run on five hits throughout the game.
The Aggies (3-0) knocked in the first run of the game, taking the lead on a lead-off home run off the bat of Anna Dethlefson in the bottom half of the opening inning.
The Tigers responded in the fifth inning as Rian Dirmeyer recorded an RBI double, tying the game at one. After singles from Montez and Carly Lucchetti with two outs on the board, Dirmeyer took advantage of a hitter's count and ripped a 2-0 double down the right-field line, scoring Montez from third base.
An infield error decided the game in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Aggies walked off for the second straight game.
"We played so much better in the second game, and Amiyah was tremendous in the circle," Kolze said. "We need to execute better and figure out how to win those close games."
Pacific returns to action at noon on Saturday, Feb. 11, as it takes on Utah Valley in the NorCal Kickoff. The team will close the tournament with a showdown at Sacramento State at 2:30 p.m.
