The UCSB softball team (21-18, 4-5) was unable to complete the sweep of Cal State Northridge (24-14, 4-5) in the final game of the Big West series with the Matadors on Wednesday, falling 4-2 at Campus Diamond.
After three scoreless innings, Northridge was able to load the bases with one out at the top of the fourth on a walk and a pair of singles. Hannah Fraijo then hit a single to center field scoring Christina Saenz and giving the Matadors a 1-0 lead. A two-RBI double from Micah Putnam stretched the Northridge advantage to three runs.
A RBI double to deep left field with two outs by Tracy Allen at the top of the fifth gave Northridge a 4-0 lead.
With one out at the bottom of the sixth, Katie McWhirter hit a double down the left field line, tallying just the second hit of the day for the Gauchos. Brooke Putich came in to pinch run and advanced to third on a wild pitch during the next at-bat. Christine Ramos hit a sac fly to center field, sending Putich home for the first Gaucho run of the game.
Jessica Ziegler followed with a walk and then advanced to second when Tiffany Wright hit a single to left field. Amanda Ziegler then loaded the bases with a single of her own, hit to third base. During the ensuing at-bat, Jessica Beristianos was hit by a pitch, sendingJessica Ziegler across home plate and cutting the deficit to 4-2.
Unfortunately, that would be the last run of the game as Northridge held on for the victory.
Amanda Pitzenberger (3-1) picked up the win in the circle for the Matadors after tossing the complete game and allowing just two earned runs on four hits. She walked one and struck out three.
Krista Cobb (14-6) took the loss. She pitched the complete game and allowed four earned runs on eight hits. She walked three and struck out two.
The Gauchos will be back in action this weekend when they head to Long Beach State for a three-game conference set. The Saturday doubleheader between the 49ers and Gauchos will be televised on ESPNU and is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start. Sunday’s single game will also begin at 1 p.m.
