UCSB had two runners on in the eighth inning and the tying run at the plate in the ninth, but were unable to match No. 17 UC Irvine on Sunday, falling 4-2 in the conclusion of the three-game series at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.
Freshman Cameron Cuneo made his first career start for the Gauchos and the lefty, working on a strict pitch count because he threw four innings on Wednesday, made it through the first two innings. The Anteaters got to him in the third, putting up two runs, and cutting Cuneo’s first career start quite short.
Senior pitcher, Nick Loredo came in to pitch six terrific innings of relief giving up five hits and two more earned runs.
UCSB and UCI each had nine hits on the day, however, UCI’s came at crucial times allowing the Anteaters to win. After UCSB cut the deficit to 2-1 with Joe Wallace’s RBI single in the fourth, UCI added two runs in the fifth.
Drew Hillman hit a two-run doubleoff the wall in left, giving UCI a 4-1 lead.
Senior right fielder, Mark Haddow, homered to right field in the sixth, but the Gauchos left eight runners on base. The Gauchos fell to 6-12 in the Big West and 21-24 overall while UCI improves to 34-13, 13-5.
Haddow had three hits on the day while Wallace had a pair.
