Box Score SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.— The 30th win of the season for No. 13 UCSB Baseball (30-10, 18-2) came Sunday afternoon as the Gauchos posted a four-run ninth inning to sweep Cal Poly (24-19, 11-7) 7-3. It is the first time the Gauchos have swept the rival Mustangs since 1998 and the first ever sweep collected at Baggett Stadium. UC Santa Barbara now sits alone at the top of the Big West Conference.
On the Stat Sheet
- Blake Klassen stayed absolutely red-hot punishing the Mustangs by going 3-for-4 with a triple, two runs, and an RBI. He finished the series with a .571 batting average and a 1.214 slugging percentage. He mashed a double, a triple, and two homers.
- Five other 'Chos saw multi-hit efforts including Nick Vogt and Nick Oakley who had identical lines going 2-for-5 with a double, a run, and two RBI. Oakley ended the series with a .545 collecting four doubles.
- True freshman Ryan Gallagher had another quality start tossing seven full innings and allowing just two earned in his no-decision.
- Earning his second career win was Clayton Hall (1-0) who shutout the 'Stangs in the final two innings. He issued just one walk and struck out a batter.
How It Happened
- Cal Poly struck first again the series closer with an RBI single in the first but UCSB quickly got it back with a sac-fly by Jordan Sprinkle in the top of the second to make it a 1-1 ball game.
- The Mustangs promptly regained the lead with a sac-fly of their own in the bottom half and would hold that lead for much of the game.
- UCSB's first lead of the contest didn't come until the top of the seventh as Bryce Willits and Klassen crushed back-to-back triples to tie the game. Willits would run the final 90 feet a batter later on a Christian Kirtley sac-fly that gave the Gauchos a 3-2 lead.
- Cal Poly continued to fight for its first win of the series hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the 8th to tie it once again.
- Then the hit parade came in the ninth as Klassen singled, Kirtley reached on an HBP, and Kyle Johnson walked to load the bases with no outs. Vogt broke the tie with a two-RBI double down the left field line and Oakley followed with one of his own the opposite way to put their team up 7-3.
- Hall allowed just one baserunner to reach in the ninth, who was caught stealing, and promptly retired the next batter to seal a huge series sweep.
Next Up
The Gauchos now return home for a Tuesday night rematch with Pepperdine. First pitch is set for 5:30 PM.
