Tuesday, March 5
6:00 PM
UC Riverside
6
vs
4
Loyola Marymount
Kevin Davidson's Pinch-Hit Single Plates Two In Seventh As Baseball Tops LMU, 6-4
3/5/2013 9:58:00 PM | Baseball
Riverside-Kevin Davidson waited patiently for his first at bat of the 2013 season, and when Head Coach Doug Smith called his number to pinch hit in the bottom of the seventh inning Tuesday night, he made it count. The sophomore from Yucaipa, CA drove the first pitch he saw back up the middle scoring a pair of runs including the game-winner in a 6-4 UCR victory over visiting LMU (Box Score).
The game was tied at four heading into the bottom of the seventh, and Lions reliever Mark Silva took over on the mound for Sean Buckle to start the inning. Clayton Prestridge greeted him with a single to center, and one batter later, Phil Holinsworth drew a walk to put runners at first and second.
Brandon Horth came out of the bullpen to replace Silva, and the Highlanders executed a double steal to put two runners in scoring position. After Cody Hough struck out, Nick Vilter drew a walk to load the bases.
That's when Coach Smith tapped Davidson for his first at bat of the year putting the Highlanders up 6-4.
Trevor Frank pitched a scoreless inning of relief to pick up his second save of the season, while Mark Garcia was credited with the win going two and two-thirds innings without allowing a run.
It was the third straight come-from-behind victory for the Highlanders who improved to 7-5 on the season.
UC Riverside got on the board first as Holinsowrth drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the second, and Alex Rubanowitz brought him home with a triple that bounced off the wall in right field.
The Highlanders were unable to hold the lead for long, however, as the Lions scored two runs in the top of the third. Matt Lowenstein opened the frame with a single to left, and after a sac bunt moved him to second, Tanner Donnels doubled to center to tie the game at one.
Donnels stole third without a throw, and after Colton Plaia drew a walk to put runners on the corners, Colin Welmon lifted a bloop single into shallow center to give LMU the lead.
The see-saw battle continued in the bottom of the third as the Highlanders touched Lions starter Patrick McGrath for two more runs. Joe Chavez began the inning with a double down the left field line, and Eddie Young walked to put runners at first and second.
After Kyle Boudreau sacrificed both runners up 90 feet, Prestridge singled to center extending his hitting streak to 12 games, and scoring Chavez from third. David Andriese followed with a bloop single to center to put the Highlanders back on top.
Donovan Gonzales took over for UCR starter Mitch Patito in the top of the fourth and he worked through a 1-2-3 inning.
The Highlanders tacked on another run in the fourth taking advantage of a Lions misstep. Nick Vilter led off the inning with a grounder down the first base line. Cullen Mahoney picked the ball cleanly, but slipped trying flip the ball to McGrath who was covering on the play.
After Drake Zarate popped out, and Chavez reached on a fielder's choice, Eddie Young was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Kyle Boudreau singled to center scoring Chavez from second. The ball got by center fielder Zac Fujimoto, and Young tried to come home with the Highlanders' fifth run of the night, but the relay to catcher Colton Plaia was perfect, and the Lions were out of the inning.
Gonzales retired the side in order in the top of the fifth as well, but ran into trouble in the top of the sixth. Colin Welmon hit a chopper up the middle, and Fujimoto walked on four straight pitches. A wild pitch moved both runners up a base, bringing David Edwards to the plate with two runners in scoring position.
Edwards hit a liner up the middle that Young couldn't handle, and the Lions plated two on the play to tie the game.
The Highlanders are on the road this weekend in New Mexico for a four-game series with the Lobos. First pitch Friday is slated for 5 pm PT
The game was tied at four heading into the bottom of the seventh, and Lions reliever Mark Silva took over on the mound for Sean Buckle to start the inning. Clayton Prestridge greeted him with a single to center, and one batter later, Phil Holinsworth drew a walk to put runners at first and second.
Brandon Horth came out of the bullpen to replace Silva, and the Highlanders executed a double steal to put two runners in scoring position. After Cody Hough struck out, Nick Vilter drew a walk to load the bases.
That's when Coach Smith tapped Davidson for his first at bat of the year putting the Highlanders up 6-4.
Trevor Frank pitched a scoreless inning of relief to pick up his second save of the season, while Mark Garcia was credited with the win going two and two-thirds innings without allowing a run.
It was the third straight come-from-behind victory for the Highlanders who improved to 7-5 on the season.
UC Riverside got on the board first as Holinsowrth drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the second, and Alex Rubanowitz brought him home with a triple that bounced off the wall in right field.
The Highlanders were unable to hold the lead for long, however, as the Lions scored two runs in the top of the third. Matt Lowenstein opened the frame with a single to left, and after a sac bunt moved him to second, Tanner Donnels doubled to center to tie the game at one.
Donnels stole third without a throw, and after Colton Plaia drew a walk to put runners on the corners, Colin Welmon lifted a bloop single into shallow center to give LMU the lead.
The see-saw battle continued in the bottom of the third as the Highlanders touched Lions starter Patrick McGrath for two more runs. Joe Chavez began the inning with a double down the left field line, and Eddie Young walked to put runners at first and second.
After Kyle Boudreau sacrificed both runners up 90 feet, Prestridge singled to center extending his hitting streak to 12 games, and scoring Chavez from third. David Andriese followed with a bloop single to center to put the Highlanders back on top.
Donovan Gonzales took over for UCR starter Mitch Patito in the top of the fourth and he worked through a 1-2-3 inning.
The Highlanders tacked on another run in the fourth taking advantage of a Lions misstep. Nick Vilter led off the inning with a grounder down the first base line. Cullen Mahoney picked the ball cleanly, but slipped trying flip the ball to McGrath who was covering on the play.
After Drake Zarate popped out, and Chavez reached on a fielder's choice, Eddie Young was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Kyle Boudreau singled to center scoring Chavez from second. The ball got by center fielder Zac Fujimoto, and Young tried to come home with the Highlanders' fifth run of the night, but the relay to catcher Colton Plaia was perfect, and the Lions were out of the inning.
Gonzales retired the side in order in the top of the fifth as well, but ran into trouble in the top of the sixth. Colin Welmon hit a chopper up the middle, and Fujimoto walked on four straight pitches. A wild pitch moved both runners up a base, bringing David Edwards to the plate with two runners in scoring position.
Edwards hit a liner up the middle that Young couldn't handle, and the Lions plated two on the play to tie the game.
The Highlanders are on the road this weekend in New Mexico for a four-game series with the Lobos. First pitch Friday is slated for 5 pm PT
Highlander Hot Talk Podcast - Spring Sports Recap 5/21/2026
Thursday, May 21
Day in the Life: Leilani Juan
Monday, May 04
UCR Student-Athletes cheer on our students.
Friday, May 01
UCR Athletics Director Introductory Full Press Conference
Tuesday, March 24
