SAN LUIS OBISPO – Despite only allowing one run as a pitching staff, the Gauchos’ offense was shut out 1-0 by Cal Poly pitcher Casey Bloomquist Sunday afternoon at Baggett Stadium.
UCSB’s second straight loss dropped them to 20-7, 2-4. Cal Poly improved to 26-5, 5-1 with the rubber match triumph.
With only one run scored during this game, not much happened for either team’s offense throughout, each collecting five hits on the day. The only score happened in the fourth inning with Cal Poly mustering up a two-out rally capped off by third baseman Jimmy Allen’s RBI triple down the right field line, scoring designated hitter Brian Mundell from first.
Robby Nesovic was the only Gaucho with multiple hits and now has a 5-game hitting streak. Cameron Newell had the lone extra base hit for UCSB, a one-out double in the fourth inning that gave the Gauchos runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out and provided one of their few big scoring chances of the game.
UC Santa Barbara’s pitching staff stood out this game, as starter Shane Bieber, Greg Mahle, and Dillon Tate combined to pitch eight innings of one-run ball. Bieber allowed the lone run in 5.2 innings with six strikeouts and unfortunately took the loss to drop to 1-1.
Bloomquist pitched a gem for the Mustangs, striking out ten batters in 7.2 shutout innings. He picked up the win, staying undefeated while improving to 7-0 on the season. Chris Taylor closed out the game with a clean 1.1 innings to pick up his fourth save of the season.
Allen’s two-out RBI triple fueled Cal Poly to their only run of the day. Mundell scored the only run and went 1 for 2 with two walks.
The Gauchos come home to host a home series versus Cal State Fullerton beginning Friday, April 11th. First pitch begins at 3:00 p.m.
