TEMPE, Ariz. – In concluding the Kajikawa Classic, UCSB fell to New Mexico who used a fifth-inning scoring rally to take the 6-3 win at the Tempe Sports Complex on Sunday.
The Gauchos end their first tournament of the season with a 2-3 record, while the Lobos improve to 3-2.
Arianna Palomares led UCSB with a two RBI single that initially got the team on the scoreboard. The heart of the Gaucho lineup provided most of the team’s hits, as Emily Brucelas, MeShalon Moore, and DeJanee Moore each had a base knock.
In the circle, Ashley Ludlow was given the start and pitched five innings, allowing eight hits and four earned runs. Lena Mayer then tossed a scoreless sixth inning, as she forced a fly out and a groundout.
The game started off slow as both teams recorded just one hit each through the first two innings. However, the Lobos woke up their bats in the bottom of the third and scored three runs of a two RBI single form Jasmine Casados and a double hit to right center from Chelsea Johnson.
UCSB was quick to react in the following inning starting with Jaqueline Hinojosa put a single up the middle to move Jessica Tetzaff to second. After a Kristen Clark groundout advanced them both into scoring position, Palomares hit a single up the middle to send them home, cutting the New Mexico lead down to one run.
One inning later, the Gauchos knotted the score at 3-3 with the help of a throwing error by shortstop Michala Erikson. With runners on first and second, Hinojosa reached base on a fielder’s choice, but an off-target throw to third base gave Jessica Johnston the chance to come across home plate for the game tying run.
New Mexico made sure the tie did not last long, as it tallied three runs in its fifth-inning rally that would prove to be the difference in the game. The Lobos first got on base with consecutive bunt singles, followed by a hit batsman which loaded the bases in time for top of the team’s lineup.
The Lobos rattled off back-to-back RBI singles and brought their last runner home on a sacrifice fly in rally, as they took the 6-3 advantage.
While UCSB showed patience in drawing three more walks in the final two innings, the team did not come up with a scoring play, as New Mexico closed out the game on top.
The Gauchos will make their 2015 home debut this weekend at the Gaucho Classic when they will host Pittsburgh, Rutgers, and St. Mary’s.
