UCSB fell in consecutive one-run games to Rutgers and Pittsburgh in the second day of the Gaucho Classic.
Behind her clutch two-run home run, Samantha Stark led UCSB with three RBI, while Kristen Clark, Jenessa Jeppesen, and Arianna Palmores all collected three hits each.
The Gauchos will close out tournament play tomorrow with St. Mary’s starting at 11:15 a.m. at Campus Diamond.
Stark’s game-tying two-run blast forced extra innings, but Rutgers was able to edge the Gauchos 6-5.
With UCSB facing two outs and a 5-3 Rutgers lead, Stark represented the game-tying run when she approached the plate. The junior was facing a full count when she hit her clutch homer and pushed the game into extra innings.
Including her homer, Stark led the Gauchos with three RBI with her 2-4 hitting performance at the plate. Jenessa Jeppesen topped the game with three hits, while Kristen Clark recorded a pair of singles.
In the circle, Ashley Ludlow pitched the majority of the game (7.2 innings) in allowing two earned runs and dealing three strikeouts.
Santa Barbara nearly avenged its previous loss to Pittsburgh. Allowing 14 hits to Pitt, the Gaucho offense kept the game tight, before falling 5-4.
Leading 4-3, UCSB could not hold onto the lead as Kaitlin Manuel hit an RBI single to tie the match, 4-4.
In the final inning, UCSB could not find any offense as King retired the Gaucho side for a quick one, two, three outing.
After a ground out and a single to right field, Pitt looked to seal the deal in the final inning. With a runner on first and second and one out, senior outfielder Jordan Fannin singled up the middle to bring home the winning run.
Palomares and Brucelas each two RBIs for UCSB.
