STANFORD – The UCSB (9-18) softball team defeated Cal State Bakersfield (10-16), 6-5, in a marathon 11-inning game on Friday morning to open action at the Stanford Invitational being played at the Smith Family Stadium this weekend. The Gauchos were unable to overcome BYU (17-7) in their second game of the day, falling 5-0 to the Cougars.
Just 13 days after being swept by Bakersfield in a home doubleheader, the Gauchos showed they were ready to go the distance to redeem themselves during Friday morning’s rematch.
UCSB struck first at the top of the opening inning. Jessica Ziegler set the table, leading off with a single to shortstop before she stole second. Brooke Putich was successful during a sacrifice bunt attempt during the next at-bat, pushing Ziegler to third base. One out later, Ziegler came home when a Bakersfield pitch was ruled illegal, giving UCSB a 1-0 advantage.
The top of Bakersfield’s line-up came out on fire as Karlee Rodgers led off with a double down the left field line before Heather Vietch drove her home with a double to left center, tying the game.
In the second, Keilani Jennings, Tiffany Corder and Lainey DePompa loaded the bases on consecutive singles before a wild pitch sent Jennings home. One out later, Jamie Adishian drove in Corder after grounding out to the shortstop, putting UCSB up, 3-1.
The following inning, Putich scored a run on a sacrifice fly to right field by Jennings. At the bottom of the third, Ryane Petersen hit a two-RBI double to left field, cutting the Bakersfield deficit to just one run.
With two runners on-base and two outs at the bottom of the seventh, Rodgers hit a single to left field, tying the game at four-all and sending the game into extra innings.
In the ninth, Putich drove home Jackie Sweet after hitting a fielder’s choice, giving UCSB a one-run lead. Unfortunately, the Roadrunners were able to tie the game again at the bottom of the inning when Jill McClealland’s fielder’s choice sent Chelsey Bell home.
It was in the eleventh inning that the Gauchos were finally able to close the door. With Jennings placed on second base, Corder earned a walk and then DePompa laid down a sac bunt, moving both runners into scoring position. An RBI single to the shortstop from Priscilla Perez drove Jennings home, breaking the tie and putting UCSB up 6-5.
Pitcher Lindsey Correa retired the next three Bakersfield batters in order to help the Gauchos hang on for the win.
Correa (3-6) tossed the complete game and allowed just four earned runs on six hits. She walked two and fanned two in the victory. At the plate, Ziegler led the way going 3-for-5 with a double, run, a walk and two stolen bases.
After tallying 12 hits in the first game of the day, the Gaucho bats were cooled by Brigham Young’s Christie Zinanti, who pitched a complete game three-hitter. She did not allow a walk and struck out two while keeping the Gauchos off of the scoreboard.
Though they did not capture the win, the Gauchos showed improvement in Friday’s second game. UCSB held BYU to just five runs after falling 13-3 in a mercy-rule loss during the teams’ first meeting this year on Feb. 12.
MeLinda Matsumoto (4-6) tossed the complete game and allowed just two earned runs while walking two and striking out two. Alison Taylor accounted for two of the Gauchos’ three hits during the contest.
BYU got on the scoreboard at the top of the third inning when J.C. Clayton led-off with a double to right center and was then driven home by a double down the left field line by Angeline Quiocho. One out later, Andrea Ramirez hit a single to shortstop. During the next play, Ramirez stole second and Quiocho stole home, putting the Cougars ahead, 2-0.
The Cougars added three more at the top of the seventh when Quiocho hit a three-run homer to left center field for their final count of 5-0.
UCSB will finish action at the Stanford Invitational on Saturday with a game against Santa Clara at 9 am and its tournament closer with the host Cardinal.
