Jesse Meaux pitched seven innings for UCSB, allowing four runs while striking out 12
An offseason full of questions about replacing several key offensive cogs in UCSB’s baseball machine were quickly answered in the 2010 season opener on Tuesday.
With only four full-time players from 2009 in the Gauchos’ starting lineup, UCSB wasted no time introducing itself to its fans in an 18-4 romp over Westmont at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.
Eight of the nine starters collected at least one hit as UCSB racked up 20 on the day with newcomer Trevor Whyte leading the way with three hits and three RBI. Six Gauchos enjoyed multi-hit games as Ryan Tregoning added three RBI on two hits and senior Matt Valaika scored five runs, one shy of the school record.
UCSB’s Gunnar Terhune was in disbelief after being called out at first base.
UCSB scored runs in seven of their eight offensive innings, including a six-run third inning. And, the offensive onslaught didn’t stop when head coach Bob Brontsema started pulling his starters.
Lance Roenicke crushed the first pitch he saw this season over the scoreboard in left field for a home run while Ben Edelstein and Bryce Tafelski doubled in their first at-bats of the season.
That followed several new Gauchos showing what they could do. Sean Williams, who transferred to UCSB from Irvine Valley College, had a triple to go with two runs scored. Whyte, who came to UCSB from Saddleback JC, went 3-for-6 with a double and two runs scored.
Shane Arslan and Ryan Palermo, each of whom saw minimal playing time in 2009, combined for four hits and two RBI.
Jesse Meaux pitched a solid seven innings, allowing four runs while striking out 12. Matthew Brady and David Meals pitched a scoreless inning each.
