After splitting the doubleheader yesterday, UC Santa Barbara was able to edge out a 6-5 victory to take the series from Cal State Northridge on Sunday afternoon at Campus Diamond. UCSB improves to 28-21 and evens up there conference record at 9-9, while CSUN falls to 21-29 and 7-11 in conference.
Lauren Boser led the offensive attack for the Gauchos going 3-for-3 with two RBIs, falling a single shy of the cycle. Keilani Jennings and Jessica Soria each added two hits on the day.
UCSB got off to a quick start in the bottom of the first inning when leadoff hitter Soria hit an infield single then promptly stole second for her 22nd swipe of the year. Arianna Palomares then singled up the middle and an error by the centerfielder allowed Soria to come around and score giving the Gauchos a 1-0 early lead. After a sac bunt by Shelby Wisdom to move Palomares into scoring position, Jennings singled up the middle advancing Palomares to third. With runners on the corners, Kathyrn Pilpil singled to left bringing home Palomares to make it 2-0.
In the bottom of the second inning, Boser led off with a triple and scored on a infield groundout by Soria giving UCSB a 3-0 lead.
The Gauchos continued their torrid hitting into the third inning with Jennings leading off with a single to center. She advanced to second on a sac bunt from Pilpil and later moved to third on an error allowing Jessica Reichner to reach base. Sami Stark came up to the plate and singled to left field bringing in Jennings from third. Boser then doubled to centerfield scoring Reichner and bringing the score to 5-0.
Alex Pingree was cruising along in the circle for the Gauchos having only allowed two hits through four innings. She was relieved in the fifth inning by Andriana Collins and the CSUN bats came alive. After three hits and an error, the Matadors had three runs cross home plate. Pingree reentered the game in the circle, yet CSUN’s Crystal Maas hit a two-run homerun to tie the score 5-5. Pingree got the next batter to pop up to end the inning.
After squandering a five run lead, the Gauchos would look to answer right back in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, Boser answered back with a homerun of her own taking a 2-1 count over the center field fence. It was the only run UCSB would need and they would hang on for a 6-5 victory.
Wisdom pitched the sixth and seventh innings earning the save, her second of the season.
The Gauchos will travel to Hawaii for a three game series starting on Friday, May 3.
