UCSB exploded for three runs in the fifth inning and three more in the sixth, and freshman Kenny Chapman tossed six innings of three-hit ball as the Gauchos routed visiting Saint Mary’s 10-1 on Monday afternoon at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.
The win is the fourth in a row for UCSB (8-4) while Saint Mary’s (4-8) has now lost four straight.
Chapman (2-1) allowed his only run in the first inning. He walked leadoff hitter DonAndre Clark and Clark promptly stole second base. After Darian Ramage struck out swinging, Collin Ferguson lined a single to right, bringing Clark home with the first run. Chapman allowed only two more hits the rest of the way. He left the game after walking the leadoff hitter in the seventh inning.
UCSB tied the score in the second inning when Luke Swenson singled, went to second on a wild pitch and scored on a double down the right field line by Andrew Calica.
The score was still 1-1 when the Gauchos struck for three runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Brandon Trinkwon and Tyler Kuresa started the rally with back-to-back singles. A sacrifice by pinch hitter Joey Epperson set the stage for a two-run double to left by Swenson. Swenson moved to third on an error by left fielder Shawn O’Brien and then scored on a perfect squeeze bunt by Ryan Clark, giving the Gauchos a 4-1 lead.
UCSB wasn’t finished, scoring three more in the sixth on just one hit. The hit, however, was a big one as Kuresa belted a bases loaded double to deep right center, chasing home Joe Woodward, Peter Maris and Trinkwon. Woodward was hit by a pitch in the inning, Maris was safe on an error and Trinkwon got on via fielder’s choice.
The Gauchos struck for two more in the seventh on RBI singles by Jackson Morrow and Woodward. The game’s final run came in the eighth when pinch hitter Joe Winterburn belted his first home run of the season to left field.
Domenic Mazza, who relieved Chapman one batter into the seventh, Connor Baits and Jared Wilson each hurled one scoreless inning to finish the game for UCSB. Kelsey Outram (1-2) allowed four runs, three earned, and seven hits in 5.0 innings for the Gaels.
Swenson, Trinkwon, Kuresa and Morrow each had a pair of hits for the Gauchos.
UCSB travels to the University of Texas for a three-game series this weekend. Friday’s first game in Austin will start at 5:00 p.m. (PST). The Gauchos will be playing the Longhorns for the first time since 1987.
