Two runs in the top of the sixth was the separation the Santa Barbara baseball needed on Tuesday, putting the Dons in the next round of the Division II CIF playoffs after a 6-4 wild card triumph at Loyola.
Starting pitcher Danny Zandona and Will Allison scored runs in the sixth on RBI singles from Joey Gonzales and Spencer Fraker. Gonzales, Fraker and Jack Crummer led the Dons at the plate with two hits each on the day.
Gavin Feuer recorded his third win in seven days, coming on in relief to pitch two and two thirds scoreless innings. Dons assistant coach Mike Cooney said Zandona pitched well, tallying six strikeouts to only one walk.
Santa Barbara scored first, posting three runs in the top of the first inning. But Loyola creeped back into it, drawing even at 4-4 with a 3-run fifth. The Cubs put two runners on base in the bottom of the seventh with one out. Feuer struck out the next batter and Gonzales threw out the next to end the game.
The Dons move on to face Pacific League-champion Arcadia in Thursday’s first round.
SANTA BARBARA 6, LOYOLA 4
Santa Barbara 300 012 0 – 6 11 1
Loyola 010 030 0 – 4 9 2
SB – Zandona, Feuer (5), and Fraker. L – Jack, Hebda (6), and Ulmer. WP – Feuer 3-2. LP – Jack 4-4. 2B – SB 1 (Dewell) L 4 (Cooper 2, Ulmer, Labruna). Records – SB 13-13, L 16-14-1.
