LONG BEACH – UCSB scored three runs in the ninth inning – all with two outs – to salvage a three-game conference series with Long Beach State on Sunday, defeating the 49ers, 4-1 and taking the final game of the weekend series.
Leading 1-0 thanks to a hit batter with the bases loaded in the fifth, the Gauchos rallied in the ninth on an RBI single by Ryan Tregoning, a run-scoring error and a Ryan Palermo base hit.
Jesse Meaux pitched eight sterling innings, allowing just seven hits and one run while striking out two to allow the Gauchos to win the final game of the weekend series. The win improves the junior’s record to 6-2, best on the team.
The Glendale, Calif. native retired 12 in a row at one point, and got help in the eighth as a potential 49er run was cut down at the plate. Meaux only allowed two runners past second base all game long.
UCSB is now 17-17 overall and 4-5 in the Big West. Long Beach State falls to 18-18, 6-6.
David Meals relieved Meaux in the ninth and got a fly out before a double-play ground ball ended the game.
Mark Haddow and Trevor Whyte each had two hits for UCSB while Palermo drove in a pair of runs.
Meaux opened the ninth inning for the Gauchos, seeking his second complete game in his past three starts, but Long Beach opened the inning with a pair of hits as Meaux gave way to Meals.
UCSB was helped out in the ninth as both Tregoning and Palermo’s RBI singles were hit to third base. Derek Eligio helped the Gauchos score a run when shortstop Devin Lohman made an error, which accounted for the second run in the inning.
After Whyte doubled to lead off the inning, a pair of groundouts put Whyte on third with two outs. However, Tregoning singled to third and stole second, Eligio reached on the error before Palermo brought him in with another base hit, giving UCSB all it would need.
The Gauchos host USC on Tuesday at 2 p.m. before a starting weekend home series against UC Riverside on Friday.
