SAN LUIS OBISPO – Cal Poly scored eight runs in the seventh and eighth innings to turn a 7-1 deficit into a 9-8 victory over UCSB to complete a three-game sweep.
Jimmy Allen knocked in the game-tying and go-ahead runs with a single in the eighth inning. Cal Poly, which has won 11 of its last 14 games, improved to 33-20 for the season and 13-8 for third place in the Big West, a game behind Long Beach State (14-7) and a game ahead of UC Irvine (12-9).
UC Santa Barbara, which has lost 10 of its last 13 games, fell to 24-27 and 10-14.
The Gauchos scored a run in the ninth and had the potential game-tying run at second base with one out, but pinch-hitter Luke Swenson hit a fly ball which was caught by left fielder David Armendariz in foul territory.
Bryce Tafelski, who hit an RBI double to score the run in the ninth, tagged up from second base on the foul fly ball and was thrown out by Armendariz, with Allen applying the tag at third base, for a game-ending double play.
Trailing 7-1, Cal Poly loaded the bases with nobody out in the seventh on a single and two hit batsmen. Sophomore designated hitter Tim Wisesingled to right field to push across one run and keep alive his streak of consecutive games reaching base safely, now at 29.
Junior center fielder Mitch Haniger singled through the left side of the infield, scoring the second run of the inning, and Allen’s sacrifice fly to center field pulled Cal Poly to within three at 7-4, chasing UC Santa Barbara starter Zak Edgington.
Edgington went 6.1 innings and allowed five earned runs on 10 hits with four strikeouts.
UCSB, which outhit Cal Poly for the second straight day, 17-13, and hit .333 for the series despite being swept by the Mustangs, built its 7-1 lead with single runs in the first, third, fourth, sixth and seventh innings and two more in the fifth.
Tafelski, left fielder Lance Roenicke and right fielder Joey Wallace each had three hits for the Gauchos. Roenicke and Tafelski each produced a pair of doubles. Center fielder Brett Vertigan, first baseman Marc Venning, second baseman Peter Maris and Mahle all added two hits. The Gauchos had six doubles but stranded 10 runners on the basepaths.
UCSB topped off its 7-1 lead on Tafelski’s bases loaded walk and Vertigan’s sacrifice fly in the fifth.
But, in the seventh, Edgington hit consecutive batters after a leadoff single to load the bases. Wise and Haniger each singled to score runs and bring in Gaucho closer Greg Mahle.
Mahle took the loss as he allowed four earned runs in 1.2 innings.
Allen and Armendariz each hit sac fly’s to make it 7-5 at the end of seven.
In the eighth, a hit batter, a walk and an infield single with one out loaded the bases. Wise’s sac fly brought the game within one run before Haniger was hit by a pitch setting up Allen’s base hit.
The Gauchos finish their home schedule with a game on Tuesday vs. USC at 3 p.m.
