Matadors’ Rally Falls Short in 5-4 Loss to #13 UCSB

Saturday, April 16

Santa Barbara, CA

2:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

22-12, 1-7

#13 UC Santa Barbara

23-7-1, 4-1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
CSUN	0	0	1	0	0	1	2	0	0	4	12	1
UCSB	0	0	3	0	1	0	0	1	X	5	8	1

Photo by: CSUN Athletics

Matadors’ Rally Falls Short in 5-4 Loss to #13 UCSB

4/16/2016 6:14:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

En Español

NORTHRIDGE, CA---

CSUN Baseball (22-12, 1-7 BWC) rallied from a three-run deficit but the Matadors fell late to No. 13 UC Santa Barbara (23-7, 4-1 BWC) by the final of 5-4 on Saturday afternoon at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium. Branden Berry finished 2-for-5 with three runs batted in and Albee Weiss drove in a run on an RBI double. The Matadors evened the game at 4-4 in the seventh inning but the Gauchos came away with the go-ahead run an inning later to post the victory.

Looking to even the series after suffering a 1-0 loss on Friday to UCSB, the Matadors struck first on Saturday to take their first lead of the series.

After coming up empty in the first two innings, the Matadors picked up the game's first run in the third inning on a timely hit from Berry. UCSB starter Noah Davis recorded the first out of the inning but he gave up a one-out single to Smith. Following a grounder from Yusuke Akitoshi that moved Smith to second, Berry came through with a single through the left side to plate Smith.

The lead would be short lived, however, as the Gauchos answered right back in the bottom half of the inning. Starter Kenny Rosenberg sat down JJ Muno to start the frame but he hit the next batter and surrendered three-straight singles. Andrew Calica evened the game at 1-1 with a hit followed by an RBI single from Michael McAdoo. After Austin Bush reached on an error to load the bases, Rosenberg walked Dempsey Grover to force in a run to give UCSB a 3-1 lead.

Two innings later, the Gauchos added to their lead thanks to a two-out hit. The bottom of the fifth started off innocently enough as Rosenberg recorded the first two outs but a Grover double followed by an RBI single off the bat of Billy Fredrick extended the Gauchos' advantage to three.

Despite giving up four runs in the contest, Rosenberg kept the Matadors in the game throughout his time on the mound. He stranded five Gaucho base runners on the day including leaving three on base in the third inning. Rosenberg fanned seven batters and he worked into the seventh inning, giving the Matadors an opportunity to come from behind.

Davis shut out the Matadors in the fourth and fifth innings but CSUN broke through in the sixth. Justin Toerner legged out an infield single to start the inning and Albee Weiss delivered with a double to right center field to bring home the speedy Toerner.

An inning later, the Matadors received another clutch hit from Berry to even the game up. Elias Orona worked a walk to kick off the frame and Smith singled through the left side to put runners on the corners. Two batters later, Berry roped a double down the left field line to score both base runners.

Up over 100 pitches heading to the seventh, Rosenberg recorded the first two outs in the inning before giving up a two-out walk. Ray Diaz entered out of the bullpen and got the final out of the inning to keep the game tied.

The Matadors looked for the lead in the top of the eighth as Nolan Flashman singled with two outs and advanced to second base on a wild pitch but Orona would strike out to end the frame.

The Gauchos picked up the key hit of the afternoon in the bottom of the eighth to take the lead again. With a runner at second base and one out, Muno reached on a single to first base. On the play, Devon Gradford kept running around third and he touched home plate to give UCSB the 5-4 edge.

In the top of the ninth, Kyle Nelson would retire the Matadors in order to secure the win for the Gauchos.

Despite the loss, every Matador registered hits on the day as CSUN outhit UC Santa Barbara, 12-8. Dylan Alexander picked up two hits along with Smith who went 2-for-5 with two runs scored.

The Matadors face the Gauchos in the series finale on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.