After being held scoreless through 14 innings by Long Beach State (27-17, 8-4) during a doubleheader on Saturday, UC Santa Barbara (21-21, 4-8) broke through the 49er defense and scored first during Sunday afternoon’s Big West series closer. The single run at the top of the first inning would be the only one for the Gauchos this weekend as UCSB fell, 6-1 to Long Beach at 49er Softball Complex.
Senior second baseman Christine Ramos led off for the Gauchos at the top of the first inning with a single to center field. Jessica Ziegler then hit a sacrifice bunt allowing Ramos to reach second. One out later, Amanda Ziegler posted the Gauchos’ second base hit of the game, pushing Ramos to third. An error by the 49ers’ shortstop during the next at-bat brought Ramos home, giving UCSB a 1-0 lead.
At the bottom of the inning, Brandy Reyes hit a sacrifice fly to right field sending Bridgette Pagano home for the tying run.
The following inning, a RBI single from Brianna Goad to right center field drove Ashely Levine home, breaking the tie. The 49ers then loaded the bases before Jennifer Griffin hit a three-RBI double to put Long Beach ahead, 5-1.
Long Beach added one more run at the bottom of the fourth when Griffin hit a sac fly to center field, sending Goad across home plate.
Brooke Turner (15-9) captured the win after tossing a complete game and allowing just one unearned run on six hits. She walked one and struck out six.
Krista Cobb (14-8) suffered the loss after allowing five runs – four earned – on five hits in 1.2 innings of work. She walked one batter. Jenny Liepman finished the game and allowed just one run, one hit and walked four in 4.1 innings.
At the plate, Ramos led the Gauchos going 2-for-4 with a run.
The Gauchos will head to Pacific next weekend for their final Big West road series of the 2009 season. UCSB will play the Tigers in an 11 a.m. doubleheader on Saturday and will complete the three-game set on Sunday with a noon game.
