UC Santa Barbara was shutout in the series rubber match against Cal State Fullerton 3-0 on Sunday at Campus Diamond. The Gauchos fall to 20-10 on the season and are now 1-2 in Big West action.
Shelby Wisdom pitched a complete game in a losing effort for UCSB, but fanned six Titans. It was the seventh game she has struck out with five or more batters. The loss moves her record to 10-7 on the season.
Kathryn Pilpil collected two of the three UCSB hits today starting with her first plate appearance. With two outs in the bottom of the first, Pilpil rocketed a shot deep into centerfield for a double. The hit marked the first time this season Pilpil has hit doubles in consecutive games. She would be left stranded, though, as Shelby Wisdom struck out swinging on the next at bat.
Both teams started off slow offensively, as they only recorded one hit each through the first two innings. Fullerton was able to pick up the pace in the top of third, starting with a big hit from their starting catcher.
With a runner on first and one out, Ariel Tsuchiyama roped a triple down the right field line sending a runner home, putting the Titans up 1-0. After the big hit, she was sent across home plate two batters later when Desiree Ybarra hit a sacrifice fly to right field.
Now down 2-0, the Gauchos needed to get on the board themselves, and it looked like they were on their way in the bottom of the fourth.
Pilpil hit a leadoff infield single to the shortstop to get the offense going for UCSB. However, the Titans recorded two consecutive outs to put the Gauchos in a pinch. Jessica Tetzlaff, though, was able to keep the inning alive with an infield single, moving Shelby Wisdom to second base. With a Gaucho in scoring position for only the second time of the game, McKenzie Kane could not come up with a hit as she grounded out to the pitcher to end the inning.
Fullerton added on another run in the fifth to increase their lead. Leesa Harris got on the bags with a single and beat Sami Stark’s throw on the next at bat when she stole second base. She was run in by Ashley Carter’s double to left field, and gave the Titans the 3-0 advantage. Fullerton kept UCSB hitless for the rest of the game and walked away with the win.
Santa Barbara had the better record this season coming into the series, 19-8 compared to Fullerton’s 13-16, but historically it’s the Titans who have had the Gauchos’ number. With the 2-1 series victory this weekend, Fullerton has now improved their overall record against UCSB to a staggering 105-12. The Titans have also never lost a series in Santa Barbara.
The Gauchos will be back in action on Wednesday for a nonconference matchup at St. Mary’s. They will continue their Big West play this weekend with a trip to Stockton to take on University of the Pacific.
UCSB will return home on April 13th when they will host a doubleheader against UC Davis at Campus Diamond.
