UCSB held Fresno State scoreless through five innings on Saturday morning on its way to 5-2 victory over the visiting Bulldogs on the second day of the Gaucho Classic I at Campus Diamond.
The victory improved UCSB to 7-1 on the year.
The Gauchos got a solid complete game effort from sophomore pitcher Shelby Wisdom, who allowed two earned runs on six hits. She walked three and struck out five.
Senior Keilani Jennings had a monster of a game as she went 3-for-3 with a pair of home runs and five RBI. Freshman Arianna Palomares, meanwhile, went 2-for-3 with two runs and a double.
Jennings got the Gauchos on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first when she drove Palomares home from third base with a two-out single hit up the middle of the field.
In the third, UCSB spread its lead behind some hot hitting at the heart of the order. Palomares singled to right field with one out and Wisdom followed with a double hit to deep left center field. The pair was brought home by Jennings, who hit the first of her two homers, deep over the left center field fence, pushing the Gauchos ahead, 4-0.
In the fifth, Jennings led off with her second homer, giving UCSB a five-run advantage.
The Bulldogs finally were able to counter in the top of the sixth inning. With one out, pinch hitter Vonnie Martin hit an infield single and Michelle Solomon followed with a base hit through the left side. Paige Gumz was able to load the bases after drawing a walk. A timely double hit to deep left field by Maria Sio brought home Martin and Solomon and cut the UCSB lead to three runs. The Gauchos were able to throw Gumz out on the play, however, to stop the bleeding.
At the top of the seventh, Wisdom retired three straight to secure the UCSB victory.
The Gauchos will conclude action at the Gaucho Classic I on Sunday, Feb. 17 against Missouri at 9 a.m. and San Diego at 1 a.m.
