History was not on the UCSB baseball team’s side on Friday afternoon.
Prior to the Gauchos’ 14-inning game vs. Cal State Northridge, the last time UCSB played 14 innings was in 2003 against Cal Poly, losing 6-5.
At Caesar Uyesaka Stadium, the Gauchos also dropped a 14-inning game to the Matadors by the same score, 6-5.
Three Gauchos hit game-tying, solo home runs vs. CSUN on Friday – Trevor Whyte’s in the second, Ben Edelstein’s in the seventh and Brett Fick’s in the ninth – but UCSB couldn’t get another big hit late in the game.
UCSB (19-21 overall, 5-8 in the Big West) loaded the bases with nobody out in the ninth and then with one out in the 10th and was unable to push across a run either time, leaving the door open for CSUN (23-19, 5-8) to eke out the victory. It was the Gauchos’ fourth straight defeat.
Ryan Pineda hit a one-out double in the 14th and Dominic D’Anna followed with one of his own to push across the winning run as the shadows were creeping into Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.
After Fick hit a pinch-hit homer to lead off the ninth and tie the game at 5-5, Edelstein and Gunnar Terhune each singled before Sean Williams was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Shortstop Steve Moon’s fly ball to left field was not deep enough and Whyte then hit into a 3-2-3 double play to end the threat.
In the 10th Mark Haddow and Ryan Palermo each singled and Bryce Tafelski was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. However Edelstein lined out to shortstop and Terhune struck out.
Then in the 13th, Sean Williams was on second after an infield single and Moon’s sacrifice bunt when Whyte hit what many thought was the game-winner – a sinking line drive to right-center field. But CSUN centerfielder Drew Muren made a diving, backhanded catch and doubled off Williams to end the inning.
Almost forgotten in the four hour, 38-minute game was the Gauchos ace Mario Hollands started, went seven innings and allowed three earned runs on eight hits. He struck out three and walked three.
The Gaucho bullpen, which has been stellar lately – entering the game with just four earned runs allowed in its last 26.1 innings pitched – was strong again. David Meals, Connor Whalen and Matthew Brady pitched a combined seven innings and allowed just two earned runs. Unfortunately, Brady was saddled with the loss and is 0-1.
The teams return to action on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Saturday’s and Sunday’s games, both 1 p.m. starts, can be heard live online by clicking here and will be broadcast on AM 1490.
