UCSB slipped in back-to-back games against UC Davis, as the Aggies used a pair of late-game rallies to pull of the doubleheader sweep.
Emily Brucelas’ two-run homer brought in the team’s runs in the Gauchos’ 7-2 loss in game one, while 16 hits were not enough in the narrow 5-4 game-two defeat.
Brucelas had an outstanding day at the plate in leading UCSB with five total hits, while Kristen Clark and Shelby Wisdom were behind her with four hits each. Samantha Stark provided UCSB with key runs in the nightcap. She tied Clark and Brucelas with two RBI on the day.
In the circle, Lena Mayer (9-10) and Ashley Ludlow (4-16) each picked up losses following UC Davis’ late rallies. In the first game, Mayer limited the Aggies to just one run through the first six innings, while Ludlow limited Davis to one score in the first five innings in her start.
While UC Davis opened the doubleheader with an RBI single to take a 1-0 lead, Mayer only gave up one more hit until the pivotal seventh inning. A three-run jack from Lauryn Saunders highlighted the team’s six run effort in taking a commanding 7-0 lead before Ludlow came in to fan two batters in limiting the damage.
After Wisdom led off with a single poked into left field, Brucelas powered her home with a soaring two-run blast to left field. Davis made a switch following the towering shot, as Justine Vela ended the game with a fly out and a strike out.
In opening the second game, the Aggies went out ahead 1-0 in the first inning, while the Gauchos later tied the contest off an RBI double from Clark with two outs in the bottom of the fourth. Following the scoring play, Jacqueline Hinojosa singled to left to give UCSB runners on the corners. However, a pitching change for the Aggies got them out of the jam, as Alicia Paine forced a fly out to prevent a rally.
UCSB (15-29, 2-9) took its first lead of the game with a two-run effort in the fifth where they registered five hits. Wisdom doubled to right center and was sent home of a single up the middle from Stark. Yet again, the Aggies looked to their bullpen to quell UCSB’s offense. Though Justine Vela recorded the final two outs, UCSB still picked up one more run thanks to Clark’s RBI single through the left side with the bases loaded.
While UC Davis reclaimed the lead in the sixth at 5-3, the Gauchos pulled themselves within a run with a clutch single from Stark. With runners on the corners, the first baseman dribbled her hit through the left side, bringing in MeShalon Moore. Though Ludlow produced a three up, three down top of the seventh, the Gauchos could not come up with the late-game rally in the bottom of the seventh.
