Baseball Drops First Home Conference Game, 10-7, To UC Santa Barbara

Riverside—The UC Riverside Baseball Team returned home to The Plex Friday evening in hopes of reclaiming some of their early season magic when they won 11 straight at home to start the season. But UC Santa Barbara had other ideas as they picked up a 10-7 victory over the Highlanders, handing UC Riverside its first home conference loss of the season (Box Score/video recap).

The Gauchos (22-18, 7-6) jumped out on top early against Highlanders starter Dylan Stuart (3-5) as seven of the first eight batters reached base in the top of the first plating four runs. The lone exception was a sacrifice bunt by number two hitter Brandon Trinkwon. Thankfully, the number nine hitter, Ryan Clark bounced into a 1-2-3 double play to end the threat.

UCR (17-20, 6-7) cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning thanks to a Gauchos error and an RBI single by Phil Holinsworth.

Stuart settled down in the top of the second pitching a 1-2-3 inning, and his offense picked him up again in the bottom of the frame putting a three-spot on the board to take a 5-4 lead. UCR loaded the bases with singles by Nick Vilter, Alex Rubanowitz and Devyn Bolasky before Vilter scored on a passed ball and Rubanowitz and Bolasky came in thanks to another Gauchos error.

Stuart gave up three more runs in the third off three hits and a Highlanders error before settling down in the fourth and fifth to keep the Gauchos off the board. Santa Barbara extended its lead in the sixth when a single by Robby Nesovic and a double by Tyler Kuresa plated three runs to make it 10-5 Gauchos.

Meanwhile, UC Santa Barbara starter Austin Pettibone (6-2) kept the Highlanders in check through the seventh before being replaced by Greg Mahle in the bottom of the eighth.

The Highlanders threatened in the bottom of the ninth scoring one off a single by David Andriese before loading the bases for Kevin Davidson. UC Riverside plated one more in the inning before the Gauchos recorded the final out to clinch the 10-7 victory.

UC Riverside and UC Santa Barbara play game two of their three game series on Saturday beginning at 6 pm. The Highlanders will celebrate the life of former pitcher Paul Bargas during pregame ceremonies tomorrow as they add his name to the UC Riverside Baseball Wall of Honor.

Baseball Drops First Home Conference Game, 10-7, To UC Santa Barbara

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