DAVIS — UCSB has struggled to score runs for most of the 2011 season, but on Friday, starting pitcher Greg Davis made most of the Gauchos’ runs in an 11-0 win obsolete as he hurled a complete game four-hit shutout.
Davis (5-5) carried a no-hitter into the top of the fifth before settling for the four-hitter. He gave up just four singles and didn’t walk a batter.
Offensively, the 11 runs were the most UCSB (22-24 overall, 7-12 Big West) has scored since they tallied 13 on Feb. 20 against La Salle. The Gauchos had just eight hits, but were aided by five UC Davis (16-32, 8-11) errors, three walks and a pair of hit batters.
UCSB took advantage of wildness by Aggie starter Scott Lyman to take a 2-0 edge in the top of the first. Center fielder Derek Eligio walked to lead things off and he advanced to second on a sacrifice by designated hitter Brandon Trinkwon. After Sean Williams struck out, right fielder Mark Haddow walked and left fielder Joe Wallace reached on a fielder’s choice, loading the bases. Third baseman Ryan Palermo lined a single to center, scoring Eligio and Haddow.
The Gauchos tallied three runs apiece in the third and fourth innings. In the third, they had just one hit but took advantage of more wildness by Lyman, as well as some shoddy Aggie defense to tack on a trio of runs.
In the fourth inning, Eligio singled up the middle to lead things off. Trinkwon attempted to sacrifice the runner but instead reached on an error by Davis third baseman Justin Andrade. Eligio went to third on the error. Sean Williams bounced a single through the left side to chase Eligio home and move Trinkwon to second. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch by Lyman then Trinkwon scored and Williams moved to third on a single to left by Haddow. Haddow wasn’t at first for long as he stole his 15th base of the season on the next pitch. A fly out by Joe Wallace scored Williams and pushed Haddow to third where he was stranded.
The Gauchos made it 11-0 with three more runs in the seventh.
