STANFORD – After dropping consecutive tight games in the first two contests of a three-game series at No. 24 Stanford, the UC Santa Barbara baseball team made sure that there wouldn’t be any come-from-behind theatrics on Sunday.
The Gauchos scored six runs in the first inning, jumped out to a double-digit lead and defeated the Cardinal, 15-11, at Sunken Diamond to salvage a three-game series. Marty Mullins drove in five runs – four coming on a first-inning grand slam – to become the first Gauchos with five RBI since April of last season when Shane Carlson and Ryan Cavan both did it.
It was UCSB’s most runs scored since April 21, 2009 when the Gauchos defeated Cal State Bakersfield, 17-2, the same game Carlson and Cavan had their five RBI.
Gunnar Terhune broke out of an early-season slump with three hits and three RBI. Ryan Palermo and Trevor Whyte each drove in two runs while Matt Valaika had three hits and scored three runs.
UCSB (4-4) scored four runs in both the fifth and sixth innings, helping to stave off an eight-run sixth by Stanford (6-4).
After a bases-loaded wild pitch scored the first run, Palermo laced a single through the left side, bringing in two more. UCSB tacked on a run when a passed ball later in the inning allowed Palermo to score.
In the sixth, Mullins drew a bases loaded walk and with two outs, Whyte had a two-run hit and Terhune’s single back to the box scored Mullins.
Nick Capito, who entered the game with a 1.23 ERA, allowed seven earned runs in 5.2 innings to get the win. Jesse Meaux, who pitched seven shutout innings last Tuesday vs. LMU for a victory, pitched 1.2 perfect innings to gain the save.
Connor Whalen tossed 1.2 innings of scoreless ball, allowing just two hits, to bridge the gap between Capito and Meaux. Whalen entered the game in the sixth with two outs and runners on the corners and Stanford rallying. He struck out Zach Jones looking to end the threat.
As part of the Gauchos’ six-run first inning – in which UCSB batted around – Valaika’s single scoredLance Roenicke, who opened the game with a double and stole third. Palermo scored the team’s sixth run on Terhune’s base hit, all of which came after Mullins’ grand slam. It was the catcher’s third home run this season, which leads the team.
Mullins, who started the season 1-for-10, went 4-for-10 in the series with five runs scored and six RBI.
UCSB hosts Waseda University, located just outside of downtown Tokyo, in an exhibition game at 2 p.m. on Monday at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium. In an unprecedented move, the Gauchos will use wood bats in the game.
To purchase tickets, please call (805) 893-UCSB, visit the Ticket Office located inside the Intercollegiate Athletics building on campus or click here.
The Gauchos open their first regular-season weekend series the weekend following the Waseda University game, hosting a four-game set vs. Northern Illinois. The first game is scheduled for Friday, Mar. 12 at 2 p.m.
