LONG BEACH, Calif. (May 13, 2023) - The UC Santa Barbara Baseball team (32-14, 16-7 Big West) evened up their series against the Long Beach State Dirtbags with help from Ivan Brethowr and John Newman, Jr. who combined to hit three of the five home runs. With the five home runs the Gauchos tied the single-season program record for home runs with 78. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gauchos opened the scoring in the top of the second inning. Back-to-back homers by Ivan Brethowr and John Newman, Jr. gave UC Santa Barbara an early 2-0 lead. 

Later on, in the second inning, UC Santa Barbara took advantage of two Long Beach errors to extend their lead. LeTrey McCollum reached on an error by the pitcher before Zander Darby singled on a bunt. A sac bunt by Corey Nunez moved the runners up 90 feet and into scoring position. A called safety squeeze was laid down by Nick Oakley scoring two runs as the Dirtbags committed an error on the play and allowed both runners on base to score. 

Mike Gutierrez started on the bump for the Gauchos and pitched four innings of scoreless baseball while allowing one hit and striking out four in his return from injury. 

UC Santa Barbara added to their lead in the fifth after Brethowr hit his second home run of the game. This time it was a two-run home run driving in Aaron Parker who drew a walk to lead off the inning. 

Jared Sundstrom joined in on the long ball hitting a solo shot in the top of the seventh to extend the Gaucho lead to 7-0. The Gauchos added some insurance in the top of the ninth as Christian Kirtley hit a solo home run to push the Santa Barbara lead to 8-0.

Hudson Barrett finished the game on the mound pitching the final five innings allowing just two hits, while punching out eight and allowing no runs. 

LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS

• This was Brethowr's second multi-home run game of the season. His first came against Cal Poly in a non-conference game on May 12. 

• This is the second time UC Santa Barbara has hit five home runs in a game this season.

• All the Gaucho hits came from the middle of the batting order for the Gauchos went 7-for-13 in the game. 

• UC Santa Barbara tied the single-season program home run record with 78 in a season with a five-homer night.

UP NEXT
The Gauchos will conclude their series with Long Beach State tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. The game will be available on ESPN+ with live stats through ucsbgauchos.com