SAN DIEGO – The UCSB softball team dropped a pair of games on the second day of the Campbell/Cartier Classic on Friday. The Gauchos fell 3-0 to No. 10 Washington (6-0) before having a late inning comeback thwarted in a 6-5 loss to Utah State (3-4).
With the losses, UCSB falls to 4-3 on the season.
During the second game of the day, Utah State scored two runs at the top of the first inning on a two-RBI triple from Jeanine Hernandez. Utah State poured on four more runs off of five hits at the top of the fourth to take a 6-0 lead.
At the bottom of the same inning, Jessica Beristianos and Keilani Jennings hit back-to-back singles to put two runners on with one out. Amanda Ziegler hit a single towards the pitcher, loading the bases. Lainey DePompa grounded out to second base during the next at-bat, sending Beristianos home for the first Gaucho run of the game. A RBI single from Priscilla Perez cut the Aggie lead to 6-2.
Then, at the bottom of the fifth, Tiffany Wright and Beristianos earned back-to-back walks with two outs and then advanced on a passed ball. Jennings and Ziegler posted consecutive RBI singles to put the Gauchos within two runs.
The following inning, Perez led-off with a double and a sac fly by Christine Ramosbrought home another Gaucho run.
Trailing 6-5 at the bottom of the seventh inning, UCSB loaded the bases with two outs but was unable to score dropping its third straight contest.
Jennings led the team going 2-for-2 with a RBI, a run and two walks. Ziegler and Perez were each 2-for-4 at the plate with a RBI apiece.Tami Weston (1-1) took the loss in the circle after tossing three innings and allowing six earned runs on nine hits. She allowed one walk and struck out two.MeLinda Matsumoto tossed the final four innings and allowed just two hits, one walk and struck out four.
Kate Greenough (2-1) got the win for the Aggies after allowing five earned runs on eight hits in six innings of work. She walked three and struck out one. Lindsey Benson earned the save after holding the Gauchos scoreless during the final inning.
In the first game of the day against No. 10 Washington, the Huskies scored all three of their runs at the bottom of the second inning. Ashlyn Watson led off with a solo home run to left field. Alicia Blake then followed with a walk and was brought home on a double to left field from Danielle Lawrie, who scored on a sacrifice fly by Niki Williams one out later giving Washington a 3-0 advantage.
Lawrie (4-0) captured the shutout win for the Huskies. She tossed a complete game and allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out 12.
Jessica Ziegler provided both of the Gauchos’ hits in the loss.
Freshman Krista Cobb (2-1) took her first loss of the season after tossing six innings and allowing three earned runs on five hits. She walked five and struck out four.
The Gauchos will continue action at the Campbell/Cartier Classic on Saturday when they face Long Beach State at 2 p.m. and Utah State at 4:30 p.m. at San Diego State’s Softball Stadium.
