UCSB (7-16) faced a pair of non-conference losses to visiting Cal State Bakersfield (9-9) in a doubleheader at Campus Diamond on Saturday afternoon. The Gauchos battled back from a 4-0 deficit in game one, but fell 4-3 to the Roadrunners before being shut out in the second game, 5-0.
In Saturday’s first game, both teams remained scoreless until Bakersfield broke through at the top of the fourth. Heather Veitch led-off with a single through the right side and moved to second after Ryane Petersen laid down a sacrifice bunt. Kelli Bailey put runners on the corners with a base-hit up the middle of the diamond. Bakersfield’s fortunes continued on the following play as Kristen Archuleta was able to load the bases on an infield single.
Danielle Lyman then earned a bases loaded walk, giving Veitch nowhere to go but home. A single up the middle from Stefanie Frei ensued, pushing the Roadrunner lead to 2-0. A double to right center from Jaimey Kleinsmith quickly pushed that lead to four runs. UCSB stopped the bleeding with a pitching change from MeLinda Matsumoto to Lindsey Correa.
In the sixth, the Gauchos were able to come within striking distance due to several Bakersfield errors. With one out, Jessica Ziegler hit a single to center field and an error on the next play allowed Brooke Putich to reach first. One out later, Jessica Beristianos hit a single up the middle but the bases quickly cleared as Bakersfield’s center fielder, Karlee Rodgers, committed a fielding error on the play allowing UCSB to cut the lead to 4-3.
At the bottom of the seventh, the Gauchos were able to get two runners into scoring position with two outs, but pitcher Sammy Rodriquez earned the last out to preserve the win.
Matsumoto (3-5) took the loss after allowing four earned runs on six hits while allowing one walk in 3.1 innings. Correa gave up just one hit and struck out two in 3.2 innings of relief. Tiffany Corder led the Gauchos at the plate going 2-for-3.
The Gauchos’ luck did not turn around in the second game of the day. Rodgers led-off at the top of the first with a single to right center field. On the next play, Veitch was able to reach first and Rodgers moved to third when Gaucho pitcher, Krista Cobb overthrew to first base following a sac bunt. Vietch quickly stole second before Petersen hit a two-RBI single up the middle giving CSUB a 2-0 lead.
UCSB was once again forced to make a pitching change as Jenny Liepman came in to replace Cobb. Liepman helped the Gauchos retire the next three batters in order to end the inning.
Santa Barbara was able to load the bases at the bottom of the same inning, but Bakersfield got out of the inning unscathed.
Bakersfield managed just one hit and the Gauchos had none through the following three innings, but in the fifth, both offenses once again came alive.
With one out and two runners on at the top of the fifth, Petersen hit the lone home run of the day over the left field fence, pushing the Bakersfield lead to 5-0. After bringing Correa in to relieve Liepman, the Gauchos escaped the inning without further damage.
Jackie Sweet and Jamie Adishian led off with consecutive singles at the bottom of the inning before a bunt by Ziegler loaded the bases. A fielder’s choice earned the first out of the inning before the Roadrunners turned a double play denying the Gauchos the comeback.
Ziegler and Sweet led the Gauchos offensively going 2-for-3 at the plate. Cobb (2-6) took the loss after allowing the first two runs of the game on two hits. Liepman pitched in 4.1 innings in the circle allowing three earned runs on four hits. Correa finished the game, adding another 2.2 hitless innings with a strikeout to her day’s total.
The Gauchos will take a break from action in order to take finals next week. UCSB will hit the diamond again on Mar. 23 when they travel to San Diego for a non-conference doubleheader.
