Friday, March 24
Santa Barbara, Calif.
5:05 p.m.
California State University at Northridge
12-5, 2-2
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UC Santa Barbara
16-3, 4-0
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CSUN
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UC Santa Barbara
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Photo by: Dianne Wentz
Matadors Drop Series Opener at UCSB, 4-1
3/24/2023 9:07:00 PM | Baseball
SANTA BARBARA, Calif.---CSUN Baseball (12-5, 2-2 Big West) dropped its series opener to UC Santa Barbara (16-3, 4-0 Big West) 4-1 on Friday evening at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium. The Matadors committed two errors in the game, resulting in three unearned runs scoring for the Gauchos. Lucas Braun received the hard-luck loss by tossing 6.1 innings and allowing three runs with only one being earned.
The Gauchos took advantage of a CSUN miscue in the bottom of the second inning to jump in front. Jonah Sebring reached to start the inning on a fielding error at third base. From there, Sebring stole second base before scoring on an RBI single from LeTrey McCollum. CSUN would also commit a passed ball at home plate leading to McCollum reaching second base. Nick Oakley capitalized with a one-out RBI single to put the Gauchos ahead 2-0.
The Matadors would get a run back in the top of the fourth on the first pitch of the frame. Kevin Fitzer belted a laser just over the left field wall for a solo homer, bringing CSUN to within 2-1.
Braun, who induced an inning-ending double to play to escape further trouble in the second, kept the Gauchos hitless through the third and fourth innings. UCSB would threaten in the fifth when Braun gave up a single and two walks. Braun though retired Aaron Parker on a fielder's choice to end the threat, keeping the deficit at one run.
CSUN stranded two runners in the top of the fifth, but had another opportunity to even the game up in the top of the sixth. Fitzer was hit by a pitch to start the frame then Ali Camarillo drew a walk. After the next two batters were retired, Andrew Sojka was also hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. However, UCSB reliever Hudson Barrett ended the scoring threat by forcing Mason Le to fly out to center field.
Braun would pitch around a two-out single in the bottom of the sixth before the Gauchos got back into the scoring column in the seventh on a one-out RBI single from Ivan Brethowr. Hayden Cody relieved Braun soon after and went on to sit down the next two Gauchos to end the frame.
The lead though swelled to 4-1 in the eighth inning as the Gauchos again capitalized on a CSUN error. After Cody gave up a leadoff walk and a single to put runners at first and second, McCollum reached on an infield single. On the play, John Newman Jr. scored from second on a throwing error from third base. Moments later, Cody rallied to induce a double play followed by a popout.
After stranding two base runners in the eighth, Le reached on a leadoff walk to begin the ninth inning. However, a Matador rally was not in the cards as Barrett struck out the next three batters to end the game.
GAME NOTES
Kevin Fitzer's home run was the first of his career. Jakob Simons reached on a walk in the game to extend his on-base streak to 17 games while Graysen Tarlow stretched his on-base streak to 16 games after walking as well. Shunsuke Sakaino had the Matadors' lone multiple-hit game as he finished 2-for-4 with a walk.
Hayden Cody tossed the final 1.2 innings for the Matadors, allowing an unearned run to go with a strikeout.
ACCORDING TO COACH EDDIE CORNEJO
"Lucas pitched very well on the road on a Friday night. I thought this was the best outing of the year for him so far. We didn't play consistent enough defense to help him like we usually do which cost us early. I thought we were out of character offensively by not putting enough pressure on their defense and we didn't take advantage of our opportunities."
UP NEXT
CSUN continues its weekend series with UC Santa Barbara on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. on ESPN+.
#GoMatadors
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The Gauchos took advantage of a CSUN miscue in the bottom of the second inning to jump in front. Jonah Sebring reached to start the inning on a fielding error at third base. From there, Sebring stole second base before scoring on an RBI single from LeTrey McCollum. CSUN would also commit a passed ball at home plate leading to McCollum reaching second base. Nick Oakley capitalized with a one-out RBI single to put the Gauchos ahead 2-0.
The Matadors would get a run back in the top of the fourth on the first pitch of the frame. Kevin Fitzer belted a laser just over the left field wall for a solo homer, bringing CSUN to within 2-1.
Braun, who induced an inning-ending double to play to escape further trouble in the second, kept the Gauchos hitless through the third and fourth innings. UCSB would threaten in the fifth when Braun gave up a single and two walks. Braun though retired Aaron Parker on a fielder's choice to end the threat, keeping the deficit at one run.
CSUN stranded two runners in the top of the fifth, but had another opportunity to even the game up in the top of the sixth. Fitzer was hit by a pitch to start the frame then Ali Camarillo drew a walk. After the next two batters were retired, Andrew Sojka was also hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. However, UCSB reliever Hudson Barrett ended the scoring threat by forcing Mason Le to fly out to center field.
Braun would pitch around a two-out single in the bottom of the sixth before the Gauchos got back into the scoring column in the seventh on a one-out RBI single from Ivan Brethowr. Hayden Cody relieved Braun soon after and went on to sit down the next two Gauchos to end the frame.
The lead though swelled to 4-1 in the eighth inning as the Gauchos again capitalized on a CSUN error. After Cody gave up a leadoff walk and a single to put runners at first and second, McCollum reached on an infield single. On the play, John Newman Jr. scored from second on a throwing error from third base. Moments later, Cody rallied to induce a double play followed by a popout.
After stranding two base runners in the eighth, Le reached on a leadoff walk to begin the ninth inning. However, a Matador rally was not in the cards as Barrett struck out the next three batters to end the game.
GAME NOTES
Kevin Fitzer's home run was the first of his career. Jakob Simons reached on a walk in the game to extend his on-base streak to 17 games while Graysen Tarlow stretched his on-base streak to 16 games after walking as well. Shunsuke Sakaino had the Matadors' lone multiple-hit game as he finished 2-for-4 with a walk.
Hayden Cody tossed the final 1.2 innings for the Matadors, allowing an unearned run to go with a strikeout.
ACCORDING TO COACH EDDIE CORNEJO
"Lucas pitched very well on the road on a Friday night. I thought this was the best outing of the year for him so far. We didn't play consistent enough defense to help him like we usually do which cost us early. I thought we were out of character offensively by not putting enough pressure on their defense and we didn't take advantage of our opportunities."
UP NEXT
CSUN continues its weekend series with UC Santa Barbara on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. on ESPN+.
#GoMatadors
Â
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Nick Welch (1-0)
L: Braun, Lucas (1-3)
S: Hudson Barrett (4)
Batting:
HR: Fitzer, Kevin 1
RBI: Fitzer, Kevin 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Fitzer, Kevin 1
CS: Barraza, Nathan 1
HBP: Fitzer, Kevin 1 ; Sojka, Andrew 1
PO: Sakaino, Shunsuke 1
Batting:
2B: Nick Oakley 1
RBI: Ivan Brethowr 1 ; LeTrey McCollum 1 ; Nick Oakley 1
SH: Corey Nunez 1
Base Running:
RUNS: John Newman, Jr. 1 ; Jonah Sebring 1 ; LeTrey McCollum 1 ; Nick Oakley 1
SB: Ivan Brethowr 1 ; Jonah Sebring 1
CS: Jonah Sebring 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
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INF
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OF
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