UC Davis catcher Tyler LaTorre drove in two runs, including the game winner in the bottom of the tenth inning that propelled the Aggies to a 3-2 victory over Sacramento State on Saturday afternoon. Both teams were playing their 2006 season opener.

Davis (1-0) took an early lead after LaTorre drove in shortstop Brandon Oliver in the bottom half of the first inning.

Sac State (0-1) tied it up when second baseman Gary Johnson led of the fourth inning with a solo-home run.

In the bottom half of the fourth inning, Davis loaded the bases with two outs to knock Hornet starter Travis Kane out of the game. Reliever John Schlager came in to strikeout Ryan Royster to end the inning.

The Hornets threatened in the seventh after center fielder Jim Strombach led off the inning with a double. After a sacrifice bunt from catcher Buddy Morales, Strombach was thrown out at third to end the inning.

Davis right fielder Dan Baldini led off the bottom of the seventh with a solo-home run to make the score 2-1.

Sac State tied the game in the eight. After doubling to right, Johnson advanced to third on a Ronnie Machado Jr. sacrifice fly. Johnson scored on a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Pat Keiper.

Hornet left-hander Matt Campbell suffered the loss after giving up the single to LaTorre in the tenth. Campbell pitched 5 2/3 innings, gave up two runs (one earned), and struck out four.

Davis reliever Nick Aurora pitched the final two innings to pick up the victory.

Sac State head coach John Smith said that both teams pitched really well. “Our staff answered a lot of questions about whether or not we would have a good staff without an Ethan Katz,” Smith said. “Both teams pitched well today.”

“The one error we made cost us the game,” Smith said. “We will have to learn from these mistakes and improve as a team.”

Sac State returns to action on Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. at Saint Mary’s.

Vincent Gesuele can be reached at [email protected]