Last week, USC rallied against the UCSB bullpen for nine runs in a come-from-behind victory. On Tuesday, the Gauchos’ bullpen bounced back against the Trojans in a big way.
Four UCSB relievers combined to throw eight shutout innings, allowing just three hits between them as the Gauchos won 5-4 at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium. It is the first time since 1977 through 1979 that UCSB has won four of five games vs. the Trojans.
Ryan Tregoning’s line-drive home run down the left-field line in the seventh inning gave left-hander Connor Whalen his first victory as a Gaucho.
After starter Greg Davis allowed four USC runs in the first inning – one scoring on a double-steal of home – the bullpen hunkered down and allowed the Gaucho offense to fight its way back.
Matthew Brady pitched two scoreless innings before handing the baton over to Sam Phippen, who tossed two more scoreless frames himself. The 6-foot-9 righty, who also plays on UCSB’s basketball team, then gave way to Whalen, who came to UCSB from nearby Santa Barbara City College.
Nick Loredo then earned his first career save by pitching two scoreless, hitless innings.
UCSB took advantage of two Trojan errors in the third inning to score its first runs. With two outs, Sean Williams whistled a ball that just went under first baseman Ricky Oropesa’s glove for a single before Matt Valaika hit a flare towards the USC first baseman. Oropesa dropped the ball for an error, leaving runners on first and second.
Trevor Whyte followed with an RBI single to center and Tregoning did as well. The second error, this one a throwing error by shortstop Joe De Pinto extended the inning and loaded the bases before a groundout finished the inning.
In the fourth Gunnar Terhune hit a two-run home run to left-center to tie the game before Tregoning lined his one-out blast just inside the left-field foul pole for the game-winner.
UCSB hosts UC Riverside this weekend beginning on Friday at 3 p.m. The game is part of UCSB Athletics’ Faculty Free Friday which allows all UCSB faculty and staff free admission to athletic events by showing their ID.
Saturday’s and Sunday’s games both begin at 1 p.m. and will be broadcast live in AM 1490 and streaming live online at UCSBgauchos.com.
