The UCSB softball team lost to a pair of nationally ranked programs on Thursday at the Cathedral City Classic.
The Gauchos dropped a 9-1 decision to No. 19 Oklahoma State (9-2) before being edged out, 2-0, by No. 8 Tennessee (10-2) later in the day.
The losses mark the Gauchos’ first of the season by more than one run. They also marked the first time that UCSB has been out-hit by its competition.
No. 19 Oklahoma State had a pair of big innings on Friday morning that led the Cowgirls to a run-rule win.
At the bottom of the first inning, Mariah Gearhart led off with a walk and then stole two bases. A sac fly to center field by Alysia Hamilton drove Gearhart home for the early 1-0 lead.
The Gauchos evened the score at the top of the third when Kelly McDonald was hit by a pitch, advanced on a McKenzie Kane’s ground out and a single by Brooke Putich before Kathryn Pilpil’s sac fly drove her home.
The tie score didn’t last for long as a grand slam by Chelsea Garcia over the left field fence put the Cowgirls up, 5-1. They scored again at the bottom of the fourth when Garcia drove in Tamara Brown with a single to left field.
UCSB got two runners on at the top of the fifth when McDonald reached on a passed ball and Kane laid down a bunt single, but the next two batters were struck out to end the inning.
Simone Freeman (4-2) got the win for Oklahoma State. She pitched five innings and allowed just one earned run on two hits.
Krista Cob (2-1) took the loss after tossing the first two innings and giving up five runs on five hits. She walked five and struck out two. Andriana Collins closed the game, tossing 2.1 innings and allowing four runs – three earned – on five hits. She walked three and struck out three.
UCSB regrouped after the loss and had a respectable showing against perennial powerhouse Tennessee. After a scoreless first three innings, the Lady Vols got on the board at the bottom of the fourth. Kat Dotson and Shelby Burchell hit consecutive singles before Lauren Gibson hit a two RBI base hit up the middle.
At the top of the sixth with two outs, Kane and Putich got on base following a pair of consecutive errors by Tennessee third baseman Melissa Brown. Pilpil followed with a single through the left side, but left fielder Chelsea O’Connor’s throw to home beat Kane to home plate, earning the third out and preserving the shutout.
UCSB will be back in action on Friday when they take-on Long Island University at 10 a.m.
