It took Cal Poly 11 innings to defeat UC Santa Barbara, 6-5, at the Mustangs Bob Janssen Field in the third and final game of the Big West Conference series between the two teams. With the win, Cal Poly (25-9, 4-2) completed the series sweep of the Gauchos (18-16, 2-4).
The Gauchos got on the scoreboard first at the top of the second inning when Lainey DePompa hit an RBI single up the middle driving Amanda Ziegler home.
Cal Poly fired back at the bottom of the same inning. The Gauchos turned a double play early in the inning, but the Mustangs got two runners on before Jessica Rogers hit a two-out RBI single to put Cal Poly on the board. A RBI single from Nora Sobczak one play later allowed the Mustangs to take their first lead of the game at 2-1.
UCSB tied things up at the top of the third. With one runner on and one out, Tiffany Wrightsingled to the right side and then advanced to second on an error by the right fielder. The error allowed Jessica Ziegler to come home for the unearned run, tying the game at two runs apiece.
At the bottom of the same inning with one out and two runners in scoring position, Anna Cahn hit a two-RBI double to center field, once again breaking the tie.
The seesaw battle continued at the top of the fifth. Christine Ramos led off with a single to left field and then moved to second when Jessica Ziegler grounded out to third base during the next at-bat. Wright followed with a walk, and one out later, Amanda Ziegler hit a RBI single down the right field line sending Ramos home. A single from Priscilla Perez to right field during the ensuing at-bat, allowed Wright and Ziegler to score and gave the Gauchos a 5-4 advantage.
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At the bottom of the sixth, Melissa Pura led off with a double and then advanced to third when Rogers grounded out to the shortstop. An error by Gaucho shortstop Jessica Beristianos during the next at-bat, allowed Pura to score, tying the game at 5-5.
The Gauchos were able to load the bases with just one out at the top of the eighth inning with base hits from Perez, Katie McWhirter and Lainey DePompa, but UCSB was unable to score.
UCSB pitcher MeLinda Matsumoto retired the next seven Mustang batters in order before allowing the first hit of the extra innings at the bottom of the 10th.
At the top of the 11th, Ramos led of with a single up the middle. Jessica Ziegler then reached on an error by the Mustang first baseman, to put two runners on with no outs. Both batters advanced on a sacrifice bunt from Wright during the next at-bat, but a fielder’s choice and a pop up ensued, leaving two runners stranded.
The Mustangs were finally able to close the door in the bottom of the eleventh. With one out, two batters walked before Cahn hit a RBI single to left field breaking the tie and capturing the 6-5 win for Cal Poly.
In the circle, Cahn (16-5) picked up the win after tossing 11 innings and allowing five runs – four earned – on the Gauchos’ season-high 15 hits. She walked one and struck out two.
Matsumoto (2-6) pitched 10.1 innings for the Gauchos and gave up six runs – three earned – on 12 hits. She struck out one and walked seven.
At the plate, Ramos went 3-for-6 with a run and Perez went 3-for-5 with two RBI. The Gauchos will head to Fresno State on Monday for a non-conference doubleheader against the Bulldogs. The first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
