The UC Santa Barbara baseball team dropped its third straight game on Tuesday, this one a 7-4 loss to No. 21 San Diego State at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium. It is the first time the Gauchos have lost three in a row since May 4-10 last season.
UCSB, 14-8, will have a chance to exact revenge on Wednesday as the Gauchos will play at San Diego State (19-9) to complete the non-conference series.
UCSB starter Jesse Meaux pitched four strong innings, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out six, leaving with the game tied, 2-2. However, the Aztecs scored five runs against three relievers to hand UCSB its second straight loss – and only second of the season – at home.
Freshman Matthew Brady (0-1) and Clayton Edwards allowed four runs between them in the fifth inning as SDSU’s Chris Wilson hit a three-run home run to highlight the inning.
That was enough for Aztec starter Nate Solow (2-1). The lefty allowed four runs on six hits in seven innings and James McLaughlin and Addison Reed combined to throw two perfect innings to close it out. Reed picked up his ninth save.
UCSB pulled within 6-4 in the seventh when Ryan Tregoning hit a towering, opposite-field home run to score Matt Valaika, who doubled.
The Gauchos scored their first two runs in the fourth inning when Ryan Cavan and Eric Oliver strung together consecutive doubles, following Gunnar Terhune’s leadoff single. Terhune went 2-for-4 and extended his hitting streak to five straight games.
Following Wednesday’s away game, the Gauchos return home to host Pacific in the Big West home opener. The three-game series starts on Friday at 2 p.m. at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.
