After splitting a doubleheader on Saturday with UC Riverside (12-20, 1-2), the UCSB (18-13, 2-1) softball team captured the Big West series’ rubber game by way of a 3-1 score to win its first conference series of the 2009 season.
UC Riverside scored first during Sunday’s game. At the top of the third inning, Kameryn Hebenton led off with a double down the left field line. A sacrifice bunt by Taylor Thomas then pushed Hebenton to third with one out.
Brittany Keeney flied out to right field during the next at bat,. Gaucho right fielder Priscilla Perez then threw the ball to the catcher, but Lainey DePompa bobbled the ball on the catch and Hebenton was able to cross home, putting Riverside ahead, 1-0.
At the bottom of the fourth, Tiffany Wright led off with a walk and was bunted over to second with a sac hit from Jessica Beristianos. During the next play, Amanda Zieglersingled to third base and when the third baseman committed a throwing error, Wright came home to tie the game at one apiece. Perez hit a sac fly during the next at-bat, sending Ziegler home and giving the Gauchos their first lead of the game.
UCSB scored the final run at the bottom of the sixth. A pitch hit Beristianos before a sac bunt from Ziegler put her into scoring position. Perez followed with a RBI double to right center field, giving UCSB the 3-1 advantage.
Riverside’s Brooke Hebenton and Tricia Adgar posted back-to-back hits at the top of the seventh, but UCSB held the Highlanders off to secure the victory.
Krista Cobb (11-4) picked up the win for the Gauchos after pitching the final four innings. She allowed three hits while striking out six. Lindsey Correaallowed one unearned run on two hits in the first three innings. She walked three and struck out one. At the plate, Perez led the way going 2-for-2 with two RBI.
For Riverside, Marissa Alvidrez (4-9) took the loss after tossing the complete game. She allowed three runs – two earned – on five hits. She walked two and struck out one.
The Gauchos will continue Big West action next weekend at No. 24 Cal Poly. The Gauchos and the Mustangs will face off in a doubleheader on Saturday at 4 p.m. and will conclude the series with a single game at noon on Sunday.
