LOS ANGELES – Mark Haddow had four RBI, the Gauchos got three solid relief innings from Nick Capito and Greg Davis pitched the final two innings as the UC Santa Barbara baseball team defeated USC, 5-2, on Tuesday at Dedeaux Field.
It was the Gauchos’ fourth win in five games as UCSB swept the season series from the Trojans.
Haddow opened up the scoring with a two-run double in the first inning, then blasted a two-run home run in the third as the Gauchos took a 4-1 lead. It was Haddow’s second homer this season and he now has 11 RBI, tied for the team lead.
Haddow’s shot to left-center field chased USC starter Ben Mount (1-1) as he remained responsible for all four of UCSB’s runs until the ninth inning. Haddow finished 2-for-4.
Nick Loredo (3-0) started for the Gauchos and pitched three innings, allowing two runs on six hits. Capito opened the fourth inning by plunking Alex Glenn and the inning was extended on an error by Beck Wheeler.
However, Capito struck out All-American Ricky Oropesa to end the frame. The left-handed Capito finished with three shutout innings, striking out five as Gaucho pitchers retired eight in a row.
On the other side of things, though, Trojan pitchers kept the game close, setting down 13 of 14 Gaucho batters from the third through seventh innings.
UCSB pushed across an insurance run in the ninth inning as Joe Wallace and Ryan Palermo had back-to-back doubles to give the Gauchos a 5-2 lead.
Davis, normally UCSB’s Sunday starter, pitched two shutout innings, maneuvering his way out of trouble in both the eighth and the ninth to pick up his team-leading third save.
USC had two on and two out in the eighth inning, but Davis, a senior from Huntington Beach, got Kevin Roundtree to ground out to end the threat.
Then in the ninth, Oropesa walked and Joe De Pinto was hit by a pitch with one out before Mike Greco struck out and Matt Foat grounded out to shortstop Steven Moon to end the game.
The win gives the Gauchos momentum as they head to No. 23 Oregon State this weekend for a three-game series. All three games will be broadcast live online at UCSBgauchos.com.
UCSB does not return home until Friday, April 1 to open a three-game series vs. San Jose State.
