Players celebrate at home plate after a home run from senior catcher Nate Vargas. Courtesy of UCSB Athletics.

UC Santa Barbara Baseball (38-18,22-8 Big West) opened the Big West Championship as the top seed, cruising by Cal State Fullerton (24-32,15-15 Big West) 7-4 on Thursday, May 21. Pushed into the next round, the Gauchos fell to Cal Poly (36-22, 22-8 Big West) 2-4. With another chance at the Championship, the Gauchos faced UC San Diego (27-28, 18-12 Big West) in an elimination match. In a Triton sweep, the Gauchos lost 0-7, eliminated from the tournament.  

May 21 

The weekend began with a dominating victory over Cal State Fullerton . Notably, junior starting pitcher Jackson Flora struck out nine batters in seven innings of one-run ball. Furthermore, it was all hands on deck from the plate where senior catcher Nate Vargas showcased his strength, driving in a two-run homer with three runs total. Sophomore outfielder Rowan Kelly hit two RBIs and junior infielder Jonathan Mendez hit an RBI single. 

Vargas kicked off the bottom of the first with a double to right-center field, sending sophomore outfielder Liam Barrett home. Continuing, Kelly singled and advanced on a fielding error to second, sending senior infielder William Vasseur and Vargas home. 

With the Gauchos holding a 6-0 lead heading into the top of the seventh, Fullerton sent one home, saving the Titans from a shutout. Quickly matched by the Gauchos at the bottom, Mendez drove in grad transfer Nick Husovsky, and the Gauchos made it 7-1. Pushing through at the top of the eight, the Titans gave it all they had with 3 RBIs by junior infielder Cameron Kim.

The Gauchos closed out in the top of the ninth to advance with a 7-4 victory. Qualifying for the winner’s side of the bracket, the Gauchos would go on the face the No. 2 seed, Cal Poly.

May 22

The Gauchos opened the bottom of the first inning against Cal Poly, capitalizing on pitcher errors with two walks and a hit batter, walking one home. However, a double play held them to only one run. 

Cal Poly tied the game at the top of the second with a sacrifice bunt, plating a run. 

Tied until the bottom of the fourth, graduate transfer outfielder Noah Karliner hit a single up the middle, sending Mendez home and giving the Gauchos their second and last run of the night. 

The Mustangs dominated for the rest of the game. At the top of the sixth, Cal Poly’s senior outfielder Xander McLaurin hit a sacrifice fly, driving another player in. The seventh and eighth featured more singles, sending two more players home and giving the Mustangs a 4-2 victory. 

May 23 

Facing elimination, the Gauchos entered their second chance at a championship, facing No. 3 seed UC San Diego.

It was chaos from the beginning for the Gauchos, who were down five at the bottom of the second due to a detrimental defensive error, which sent three Tritons home. Next, another defensive error allowed two more to score. With one hit and four runs, the Tritons led 5-0. 

Later, Gaucho senior pitcher Kellan Montgomery worked efficiently from the mound, with two three-up-three-down innings in the second and third.

The fourth showcased the Tritons’ strengths, sending home a single to center field by UCSD’s sophomore infielder Addison Klepsch, gaining two more runs. 

The Gauchos held the Tritons for the rest of the match, but were unable to capitalize on any plays, remaining scoreless and ending their weekend, 0-7.  

Next, the Gauchos will head to No. 6 Texas for the Austin Regional tournament where they will face the No. 4 seed, Tarleton State (37-19). As the No. 2 seed, the Gauchos will make their 16th NCAA tournament appearance and play their first game against Tarleton State. The first pitch will take place on May 29 at 3 p.m. PST at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin.