Coming off its first series win over a ranked opponent since 2004, UCSB’s baseball team can do it again this weekend in a three-game Big West Conference series at No. 4 Cal State Fullerton.
The Gauchos (17-14) have a 4-4 record against ranked opponents this season, with three wins over Cal Poly and one against Notre Dame.
But the fourth-ranked Titans (29-4) would be the biggest fish yet. Fullerton has won eight straight and is 6-0 in Big West play thanks to sweeps of UC Davis and Pacific.
UCSB is 3-3 in conference play, losing 2-of-3 to Hawaii before taking 2-of-3 from Cal Poly. The Gauchos beat Pepperdine 5-4 in their most recent action on Tuesday.
Austin Pettibone will take the mound first for the Gauchos on Friday night. Justin Jacome will pitch Saturday, followed by Robby Nesovic on Sunday.
Pettibone has been UCSB’s best starting pitcher this season and will bring a 4-2 record and 2.86 ERA into his Friday start. Pettibone leads the Gauchos with 56 2/3 innings pitched.
Fullerton’s Thomas Eshelman has been even better as the freshman has won seven of his first eight college starts. His seven wins is tied for third-best in the country and he has an ERA of 1.09 through 58 innings.
Michael Lorenzen leads Fullerton in home runs (7), RBI (35) and batting average (.360). As a team, the Titans have hit twice as many home runs as the Gauchos.
UCSB’s previous series win over a ranked opponent before last weekend was a sweep of No. 4 Long Beach State, from Apr. 30 to May 2, 2004.
After Fullerton, the Gauchos take on LBSU at home.
SERIES OUTLOOK
Friday: UCSB at CSU Fullerton, 7 p.m.
Saturday: UCSB at CSU Fullerton, 6 p.m.
Sunday: UCSB at CSU Fullerton, 1 p.m.
