LONG BEACH, Calif.— No. 25 UC Santa Barbara baseball dropped its series opener with host Long Beach State Friday night, taking an early 3-0 lead but ultimately falling 4-3. Michael McGreevy (5-1) pitched all but one inning for the Gauchos allowing four runs and taking his first loss of the season.

Nick Vogt notched the sole multi-hit effort for the Gauchos going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Bryce Willits collected an extra-base hit going 1-for-3 with a double, a run, and an RBI.

The Gauchos got on the board first in just the second inning of the weekend as Christian Kirtley drew a walk on a full count. Willits was next sending him home on an RBI double to take the 1-0 lead. Vogt was next singling up the middle to score Willits and make it 2-0. 

UCSB went up 3-0 in the top of the fourth on a classic double-steal play with Gauchos on the corners. Heads-up baserunning from Jason Willow gave the Beach defense fits as the third run came across for the visitors.

Unfortunately for the Gauchos, four runs would score for Long Beach State in the next two innings giving the host Beach the 4-3 win.

UCSB threatened in the top of eighth but could not get its runner in scoring position home, as McGreevy earned his first loss of the season. Clayton Hall collected the final three outs unscathed.

The visiting Gauchos will look to take control of the series tomorrow afternoon with Rodney Boone named as the projected starter for game one of the doubleheader.