LONG BEACH – With Long Beach State (27-24, 14-6) scoring 18 runs, UCSB (19-14, 6-14) could not keep up in losing both games of Friday’s doubleheader.
MeShalon Moore delivered the Gauchos’ biggest hit of the day with a two run home run in game one. It was the catcher’s ninth homer of the season, as she finished the twin bill with a team-high three hits.
In the circle, Ashley Ludlow (6-20) was credited with both loses, while Lena Mayer tossed the most innings with 7 1/3.
Long Beach State’s offense got going early in scoring six runs through the first three innings, highlighted by the team’s two homers in the third. The team went on to grab a 7-0 lead heading into the sixth, threatening to shorten the game via mercy rule.
However, the Gauchos were able to avoid the truncated finish with a big hit from MeShalon Moroe. Though the 49ers took care of two outs before Moore’s at bat, Jacqueline Hinojosa was able to reach base with a bunt single. Moore delivered the run to get the Gauchos on the board at 7-2, but Long Beach State added another homer of its own a half inning later to close out the win.
In game two, UCSB did not wait long to get on the board in tallying two runs in the first. Just as in the first game, the Gauchos scored both of those runs in a two-out rally. Kristen Clark led off with a bunt single and advanced to third following consecutive groundouts. MeShalon Moore then brought her home with a single to left field. The junior did not stay on the bases long, as Shelby Wisdom shot a RBI double to left, putting the Gauchos ahead 2-0.
But after the fast start, UCSB was unable to regain that momentum, as they the 49ers blanked them the rest of the way en route to a 10-2 mercy rule finish.
The Gauchos had their best chance to add to their score in the sixth after drawing back-to-back walks to lead off the inning. A groundout moved both runners into scoring position, but the 49er pitcher Amanda Hansen retired the last two batters with a strikeout and a lineout.
UCSB will close out the regular season with Long Beach State tomorrow at 1 p.m.
