CATHEDRAL CITY – UCSB (8-4) captured an 11-3 run-rule victory over Ohio State (4-9) on Saturday, the third day of the Cathedral City Classic.
Right fielder Allison Taylor had a monster game for the Gauchos going 3-for-3 at the plate with two runs, four RBI and a home run. First baseman Lauren Boser was 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBI.
In the circle, Andriana Collins (6-3) picked up the win after tossing three innings and allowing three runs on five hits. She walked one and struck out one. Krista Cobbclosed the game and tossed two shutout innings. The junior gave up two hits and struck out one.
UCSB got on the scoreboard with a five-run third inning. With one out, Brooke Putich reached on a Buckeye error before advancing to third on a base hit through the right side by Kathryn Pilpil, who was then able to steal second. Jessica Beristianos loaded the bases after being hit by a pitch. A wild pitch and ensuing error by the Ohio State catcher on the play allowed Putich and Pilpil to come home.
Keilani Jennings then sent a single through the right side to push Beristianos to third, but was caught stealing on the next play as the Buckeyes grabbed the second out. Boser drove Beristianos home with a single to left field and then Taylor topped off the Gauchos’ big inning with a two-run homer to left field.
Ohio State responded at the bottom of the same inning with three runs of its own. Alicia Herron brought Megan Coletta home with a RBI single to right field and Evelyn Carrillo drove home two more runners – Herron and Dee Dee Hillman – to cut the Gaucho lead to two runs.
UCSB quickly distanced itself further from the Buckeyes at the top of the fourth. McDonald led off with a double to left center field and McKenzie Kane followed with a single to the shortstop. Putich then walked to load the bases with no outs.
The Buckeyes made their second pitching change of the game pulling Kasie Kelly in favor of Melanie Nichols. The switch didn’t slow the Gaucho onslaught though. Pilpil reached base on balls and sent McDonald home in the process. Ohio State earned two outs on a pair of fielder’s choices but Boser was able to tally her third hit of the game, driving Pilpil and Beristianos across home plate. A wild pitch moved both runners, setting the table for Taylor’s third hit – a single down the left field line – that scored Jennings and Boser. An RBI single from McDonald sent Taylor home and put the Gauchos up, 11-3.
Karisa Medrano (1-5) suffered the loss for the Buckeyes after giving up the initial five runs (one earned) on five hits. She walked three and struck out four.
UCSB will conclude action at the Cathedral City Classic on Sunday with two games. The Gauchos will face Utah at 1 p.m. and Loyola Marymount at 3 p.m.
