Mario Hollands held fifth-ranked Cal State Fullerton in check for eight innings on Saturday evening. But, it was the ninth inning that it all came undone as the Titans used a bases-loaded walk-off base hit from Josh Fellhauer to defeat UCSB, 5-4, at Goodwin Field.
The Gauchos led 4-3 entering the bottom of the ninth thanks in part to Ryan Cavan’sthree-hit game and Robby Cummings’ RBI groundout. Hollands, who hadn’t allowed a run to the Titans since the third inning, opened the ninth inning on the mound.
But a four-pitch walk to Billy Marcoe opened the inning and Joey Siddons’ sacrifice bunt attempt turned into a base hit. Zach Samuels relieved Hollands and Christian Colon’s sac bunt moved the runners up to second and third. Samuels intentionally walked Gary Brown to load the bases and bring about a force out situation, but Fellhauer’s single to right field gave CSUF its first victory this season when trailing after eight innings.
The Gauchos fall to 23-17 overall and 6-8 in the Big West while Fullerton improves to 31-12 and 11-6.
UCSB trailed 3-0 entering the fourth inning, but chipped away and scored a run when Eric Oliver, who had doubled and moved to third on a ground out, scored when Fullerton third baseman Siddons commited an error on Matt Valaika’s ground ball.
The Gauchos scored another in the fifth inning when Cummings’ ground out plated Shane Carlson, who had doubled and moved to third on a ground out.
UCSB took a 4-3 lead in the following inning when Ryan Cavan tripled to score Brian Gump and Matt Valaika reached on an error, scoring Cavan.
Meanwhile Hollands (4-5) was cruising. The left-hander allowed just one hit between the third inning and the ninth inning. His final line was eight innings, six hits, five runs and four strikeouts.
The Gauchos will try to salvage the series today when RHP Mike Ford (4-3, 5.21 ERA) takes the mound in a 1 p.m. start at Goodwin Field.
UCSB will return to Caesar Uyesaka Stadium on Monday, May 4 when it finishes its make-up game with Pepperdine at 3 p.m. Admission is free.
