CATHEDRAL CITY — Allowing four runs in the first inning, UC Santa Barbara (3-10) faced an uphill battle against a nationally ranked Texas A&M (9-4) squad. With today’s 7-0 loss, Santa Barbara has yet to win a match in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.
Junior pitcher Ashley Ludlow struggled in her outing, lasting only 0.2 innings before being pulled for fellow junior Alex Pingree. After allowing three earned in three innings, the Gauchos brought in freshman Lena Mayer to finish the game. The Berkeley, Calif. native excelled in the circle, going a little over three innings without conceding a run in the final three frames.
Opening the match with a walk, steal, and a throwing error from left field, the Aggies cashed in on a one out unearned run. Facing a two out bases empty situation, A&M kept the inning alive with a single up the middle. With another walk to force runners on first and second, the Aggies took advantage with a two RBI triple up the middle. Up three runs and with a runner on third, Texas A&M singled to shortstop to eventually put its four spot in the top of the first.
With singles from Kristen Clark and Arianna Palomares, UCSB faced a one out situation with runners on base. Despite the back-to-back singles, the inning ended with a strikeout and pop fly.
After trading quick one-two-three innings in the second, Texas A&M scored its fifth run of the match in a two out scenario. With runners on first and third, the Aggies stole second and home to secure its 5-0 lead over the Gauchos.
UCSB had an off day offensively as A&M pitcher Katie Marks continued to pitch a stunning outing.
The lead exploded to seven runs in the top of the fourth as Tori Vidales belted a two out two run homer for the Aggies. After allowing another walk, UCSB pulled Pingree in favor for Mayer. Despite a strong outing from the freshman, UCSB could not catch fire offensively. With a complete game by Marks, the Aggies cruised to a seven run victory over the Gauchos.
UCSB will conclude the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic tomorrow with two matches. The Gauchos are slated to face off against UNLV at 9 a.m. and then conclude the day with a 2 p.m. match against Loyola Marymount.
