SAN FRANCISCO – No. 18 Rice scored runs in the bottom of the eighth and ninth innings to defeat the UCSB baseball team, 2-1, in a classic pitcher’s duel at AT&T Park on the final day of the Cal Baseball Classic.
UCSB starter Greg Davis allowed one run on nine hits in 7.1 innings while the Owls’ Chase McDowell pitched a complete game, limiting the Gauchos to one run on four hits with four strikeouts.
UCSB falls to 7-6 overall while Rice improves to 10-8.
Tied 1-1 in the ninth inning, the Gauchos’ Sean Williams opened the final frame with a triple down the right field line, but Mark Haddow struck out, Trevor Whyte popped up and Ryan Palermo grounded out to end the threat.
In the bottom of the ninth, Michael Ratterree hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring the winning run with two outs.
Nick Capito (0-2) took the loss as he allowed one run on two hits in 0.2 innings of relief.
Williams led the team with two hits and a run scored. UCSB broke through with the game’s first run in the seventh inning when the Gauchos loaded the bases with nobody out on a single, a walk and a hit batter. Williams scored when Palermo hit into a double play and a ground out ended the inning.
Rice evened things up in the eighth when Anthony Rendon, who doubled and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, scored on a wild pitch. Capito then replaced Davis and got the final two outs of the inning.
However, a leadoff singled and a sac bunt in the ninth inning chased Capito, bringing in Bryce Uhrig. A hit batter loaded the bases before Uhrig induced a pop-out. But, Ratteree’s fly ball ended the game.
The Gauchos return home with a three-game series vs. Nevada starting with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 19.
