UCSB lost the final game of a three-game series 12-5 against New Mexico State University on Sunday at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium. UCSB (9-6) finished the series 1-2, losing the last two games after a five-game winning streak.
The bats picked up third game of the series right where they left off. The Aggies scored three runs in the first inning, and the Gauchos answered with one of their own.
Leadoff hitter Gunnar Terhune reached on catcher’s interference and advanced to third on a Sean Williams single. He then scored on a groundout by Matt Valaika.
UCSB took the lead with a three-run second inning. The scoring started when catcher Marty Mullins hit a sacrifice fly to center that scored Trevor Whyte, who reached on a walk.
Terhune tied the game with an RBI single, and the Gauchos took the lead 4-3 when Ryan Tregoning scored on a wild pitch.
Starter Nick Capito pitched well after the first inning, putting up zeroes on the scoreboard for three consecutive innings before the Aggies scored again in the fifth.
UCSB added an insurance run in the third, but New Mexico State closed the gap by scoring in the fifth and had runners on the corners before Capito struck out third baseman Wade Reynoso looking to end the inning holding on to a 5-4 lead.
After NMSU centerfielder Wesley Starkes tied the game with an RBI single in the top of the sixth, the Aggies took a 6-5 lead on a sacrifice fly to centerfield off the bat of Ryan Aguayo that chased Capito from the game.
Capito (2-2) took the loss for UCSB. He struck out five over 5.2 innings and allowed six runs, two of which were earned.
Junior right-hander Greg Davis relieved Capito and retired the first batter he faced with the help of a spectacular running catch at the wall by left fielder Ryan Tregoning.The Aggies kept at it, scoring twice more in the seventh inning. They threatened again in the top of the eighth inning, but Valaika made a great play in the hole at shortstop to start an inning ending double play.The relentless attack of New Mexico State finished the game strong with four more runs in the ninth, making the score 12-5 going into the Gauchos’ last at-bat.Despite a pinch-hit triple by Derek Elegio, UCSB was unable to score in the final frame.Williams finished the game with a team-leading three hits. Beck Wheeler was the only other Gaucho to record multiple hits.The Gauchos will continue their home stand Tuesday at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium against UCLA at 2 p.m. before taking on University of San Francisco in a three-game series beginning Friday, March 26.To purchase tickets, please call (805) 893-UCSB, visit the Ticket Office located inside the Intercollegiate Athletics building on campus or click here.
