SURPRISE, Ariz. (Feb. 17, 2023) — Mike Gutierrez struck out eight in five innings, Nick Oakely drove in four runs, Ivan Brethowr hit his first home run as a Gaucho, and freshman Hudson Barrett nailed down a four-out save to give UC Santa Barbara Baseball a 9-7 win over Minnesota in their 2023 season opener at the Sanderson Ford Classic Friday night. Brady Huddlestun picked up the win out of the bullpen, the the first victory against the Golden Gophers in UCSB Baseball history. Minnesota's Randon Dauman was credited with the loss.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Gaucho starter Mike Gutierrez got off to a shaky start, giving up a run in the first inning, but settled in after, retiring 10 straight Minnesota batters, including striking out the side in the second. In the fourth and fifth, UCSB's offense supplied their pitcher with some run support.

The first three Gaucho batters reached base in the bottom of the fourth, then Oakley brought them all home with a three-run triple down the right field line. Oakley came home soon after via a Corey Nunez RBI groundout. In the fifth, Brethowr and Jonah Sebring each recorded their first RBI as Gauchos to make the UCSB lead 6-1.

Gutierrez's night ended in the top of the sixth, as he gave up a double and a single to lead off the frame, and one of those runners came around to score, making it 6-2 Gauchos. Things would only get worse in the top of the seventh. Before fans in Surprise Stadium could get up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," the Gophers scored five runs to take a 7-6 lead into the stretch.

After the stretch, Brethowr sent a 1-2 pitch on a line over the left field fence for his first homer in blue and gold, tying the game. Oakley batted in his fourth run of the game later in the inning to put UCSB ahead for good.

Broc Mortensen added an insurance run in the eighth on an error that was originally ruled a pinch-hit double off the left fielder's glove, and after stranding a runner on second to end the eighth, Barrett finished off his first collegiate save in the ninth.

ON THE STAT SHEET
• Mike Gutierrez finished his 5.0 innings with eight K's, allowing a pair of runs (both earned) on five hits and no walks
• Nick Oakley finished 2-3 at the plate with five total bases plus a walk to accompany his game-high four RBI Friday night
• Ivan Brethowr's homer was one of three hits for the sophomore from Olathe, Kansas on the night. He came around to score after all three of those hits
• LeTrey McCollum was the only player to reach base four times on Friday; the sophomore collected a pair of hits and two walks

UP NEXT
The Gauchos are back in action in Surprise Saturday night, when they take on the Lobos from the University of New Mexico. UCSB is 4-1 all-time against the team from Albuquerque, but have not faced the Lobos since 2004. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. Pacific on Saturday.